The State Government has announced a landmark commission of inquiry into the Queensland CFMEU branch.
It follows a scathing report that lifted the lid on the “underbelly of Queensland’s construction industry”.
The damning report, headed by Geoffrey Watson SC, laid bare the extent of coercive, bullying, intimidatory and illegal practices and conduct at the hands of some members of the CFMEU.
As a result, the LNP Government has now referred the Watson report to the Queensland Police Service for their consideration.
Premier David Crisafulli said an inquiry was needed to “lift the lid on the culture of violence, intimidation and potential criminality in the CFMEU”.
“If this report only scratched the surface we owe it to Queenslanders to get the full picture with a Commission of Inquiry,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“This is the most powerful Inquiry in the State to give a voice to those made powerless by the CFMEU and their Labor protection racket.
“This is the spotlight needed to bring the CFMEU out of the shadows, the violence, bullying and intimidation will have no place to hide.
“We are drawing a line in the sand to make sure workers are safe on worksites and productivity can return to construction.
“The violence, misogyny and standover tactics from the CFMEU have no place in Queensland, and this is the first step in delivering the change that’s needed.”
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the Watson report was eye-opening but hamstrung by the reluctance of critical witnesses and victims to come forward over fears of retribution.
“Under the Inquiry witnesses will be afforded protections and documents will be compelled to get to the bottom of this insidious militant behaviour that has terrorised Queensland for a decade,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“This is Labor’s Fitzgerald moment and will be the end to the protection racket for these CFMEU thugs.
“The 55 brave men and women helped scratch the surface, the Inquiry will now get to the bottom of the CFMEU’s standover tactics so we can protect Queenslanders from this violence, bullying and intimidation.
“This will help restore safety and the rule of law on Queensland construction sites.”
