‘Shocked’ Labor calls in corruption watchdog over CFMEU report

A “shocked” Labor opposition has referred the report alleging violence and intimidation in the Queensland CFMEU to the state’s corruption watchdog, amid wider calls for a commission of inquiry.

Leader and former Premier Steven Miles has also offered to meet with Premier David Crisafulli to discuss a bipartisan plan for reforming the construction industry.

Released by administrators this week, the Watson report claims former leaders of the CFMEU in Queensland oversaw a toxic culture in which women, children and members of other unions were bullied and threatened.

Members of the CFMEU protesting in Brisbane last month.Credit: William Davis

“These actions should never have happened,” Miles said in a statement on Saturday.

“The former leaders of the CFMEU should be ashamed for what they did to Queensland, the union movement, and to the individuals their campaign of fear targeted.”

He said his party was “shocked” by the allegations and believes the Crime and Corruption Commission is best placed to confront them quickly and cost-effectively, as the LNP government lays the groundwork for a possible commission of inquiry.

National Association of Women in Construction Queensland chapter president Emma McCaughey and Queensland Major Contractors Association chief Andrew Chapman (second from right) with ministers on Friday.Credit: Matt Dennien

“The CCC is a standing body with powers of a royal commission, able to investigate these matters quickly while saving Queensland taxpayers millions of dollars,” Miles said.

“Meanwhile, Queensland needs the construction industry right now more than ever.

“That’s why I have also written to Premier Crisafulli offering a bipartisan meeting with him and the CFMEU administrator, Mark Irvine KC, to ensure Queensland has a safe, reliable and respected construction industry.”

The LNP has not confirmed its plans for the embattled union, but Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie spoke alongside campaigners for a commission of inquiry this week, telling reporters he was not ruling one in or out.

The MP has repeatedly blamed Labor for alleged wrongdoing by the CFMEU, despite the union being put into administration by the federal Labor government and then-Premier Miles.

“Unlike Labor, we have zero tolerance for the CFMEU’s culture of violence, bullying and intimidation and are delivering the change needed to restore safety and the rule of law on Queensland construction sites,” Bleijie said in a statement on Thursday.

Barrister Geoffrey Watson was directed by CFMEU administrator Mark Irving to investigate the union’s Queensland branch after revelations of corruption and bikie links along the east coast by this masthead, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes.

“The CFMEU has breached – deliberately breached – every aspect of its own anti-violence policy. The CFMEU in Queensland actually intended to inflict physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse on others,” the report says.

Former Queensland secretary of the CFMEU Michael Ravbar.Credit: William Davis

Former Queensland CFMEU leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham reportedly chose not to be interviewed by investigators, but released a joint statement this week.

“[The report] is riddled with errors, based on selective and untested accounts, and falls far short of the standard you would expect for such serious allegations,” they said.

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