David Janetzki cracks down on construction industry shortcomings ahead of plans to build one million homes by 2044

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki taken aim at CFMEU for alleged misconduct, and the claims the construction centre is not productive enough to hit the government’s ambitious targets.

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki has levelled criticism at the CFMEU for alleged “violence, threats and misogyny” and said issues in the construction industry needed to be addressed ahead of plans to build one million homes by 2044.

The Toowoomba South MP on Friday spoke at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast about his first state budget, which included a $116.8 billion capital expenditure program for roads, social housing, hospitals and Olympic works.

He said in order to meet the significant task ahead they would need a productive workforce - taking a swipe at the CFMEU.

This followed the release of a damning 45-page report by Geoffrey Watson SC which labelled the CFMEU a violent, cruel, and misogynist organisation.

“The first thing I’ve done as treasurer was reintroduce the productivity commission, we have seen over the last couple of days the violence, the threats, misogyny from the CFMEU and why it was so important that we made that investigation,” Mr Janetzki said.

“There is now a whole range of allegations the CFMEU will have to deal with.

“We have sent a clear message that we want safe and well paid work sites, contracts must be met and productivity must be delivered.

“The CFMEU must be changed.”

20/6/2025: A large CFMEU protest, including babies, children dogs and dancing, outside the QLD headquarters of the union, blocking the road in Bowen Hills, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Mr Janetzki said the State Government was making steps to bolster the workforce and crack down on CFMEU interference.

“BPIC has been paused pending the inquiry, the productivity commission’s first task is an investigation into the building and construction sector in Queensland, we know there is 2.8 work days per week getting done and that is not good enough,” he said.

“We have a $116.8 billion capital expenditure program in the budget and we know that it will be a significant challenge but we need the roads, the houses, the development and we have a plan to attract the right skill sets.

“Last week I was in Rockhampton announcing a $61 million investment into the TAFE there to attract more trades into the system and we have committed $201 million into TAFE.

“This will lead to more centres of excellence, more tradies and more skills to build what we need to get built.”

20/6/2025: A large CFMEU protest, including, babies, children dogs and dancing, outside the QLD headquarters of the union, blocking the road in Bowen Hills, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

He said despite issues in the construction industry the Queensland Government were committed to delivering homes across Queensland.

“Across the state we have committed to 53,000 new social and community homes by 2044 that’s part of a broader plan to deliver one million homes by 2044,” he said.

“There has been a number of levers we have pulled to address that challenge, we have introduced our residential activation fund which will tip funding into local governments, there will be $1 billion allocated to local government and developers by June 30 next year and half of our $2 billion will be spent in the regions.

“Whether you are in small business, agriculture and resources the strength of our economy is our variety and this budget supports that variety and the aspirations of the people of our region.

“The Toowoomba region is a powerhouse of the Queensland economy and it has been a pleasure to share what the Queensland Government means for our people.”