CFMEU violence probe gets full access to Queensland police records

Special investigators with full access to police records will probe violent behaviour by CFMEU members as landmark inquiry into the militant union begins.

CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC will give evidence at the inquiry.

Violent and coercive behaviour by the CFMEU will be probed by a specialised team set up as part of the landmark inquiry into the militant union, with investigators handed full access to Queensland police records.

The inquiry’s powerful investigative team – seconded officers from the Queensland Police Service and corruption watchdog – will also have any bad behaviour by the building industry within its sights.

CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC and anti-corruption expert Geoffrey Watson SC are among the high-powered witnesses set to appear before the commission of inquiry into the CFMEU as hearings get under way on Tuesday.

In July, Mr Watson handed down a shocking report that documented violent incidents on Queensland building sites, relentless abuse of government ministers and misogynistic ­attacks on women.

It also detailed an incident where a mother and her 13-year-old child were verbally ­attacked by a CFMEU member, who shouted “your mum is a f--kin’ grub”.

It previously has been revealed that the identities of CFMEU figures who threatened violence on construction sites could be unmasked if an application to release the unredacted version of Mr Watson’s report is successful.

The report also laid bare a long list of violent acts by CFMEU members at Queensland construction sites, with workplace health and safety ­officers from a construction company and government also set to front the inquiry during hearings this week.

It was Mr Watson’s report – commissioned by Mr Irving when he took control of the CFMEU last year – that prompted Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie to launch the landmark inquiry.

It’s expected the first set of witness hearings and another week in December will set the groundwork for what’s to come, with the inquiry helmed by Commissioner Stuart Wood AM KC to ramp up hearings in 2026.

The state government approved regulation in late October that allowed the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry access to “all or any information in a QPS database”.

In effect, it allows information held by police to be more effectively shared with the inquiry, without having to wait to be compelled to do so.

Queensland police confirmed they had established a team of investigators and intelligence officers to support the CFMEU inquiry.

CFMEU heavyweights Michael Ravbar and William (Kane) Lowth have secured renowned Kings Council Ruth O’Gorman to represent them at the inquiry.

Mr Ravbar was named in the Watson review and rejected the findings.

The report stated “no adverse information was ever received in respect of (Mr) Lowth”.

In 2022, Ms O’Gorman was the senior counsel assisting the commission of inquiry into Queensland Police Service’s response to domestic and ­family violence.

Originally published as CFMEU violence probe gets full access to Queensland police records