A state government in Queensland has initiated a significant inquiry into the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) following serious allegations of a “thug” culture characterized by coercive and intimidating practices. This announcement comes in the wake of a comprehensive report detailing the union’s aggressive tactics in the pursuit of political and financial power.
Premier David Crisafulli stated that the commission of inquiry represents the government’s strongest tool to investigate a system described as broken and rife with intimidation. “We owe it to Queenslanders to get to the bottom of the CFMEU’s intimidation, violence and bullying with a commission of inquiry,” Crisafulli asserted on March 3, 2024. He emphasized that the behaviors attributed to the CFMEU, including violence and misogyny, are unacceptable in Queensland, marking this inquiry as a pivotal step towards necessary reforms.
Scope and Implications of the Inquiry
The commission of inquiry has the authority to compel witnesses to provide evidence and can recommend criminal charges based on findings. The CFMEU’s construction and general division was placed into administration across Australia in August 2023 amid allegations of infiltration by bikie and organized crime groups.
Barrister Geoffrey Watson recently concluded a three-month investigation into violent and intimidating conduct by union officials. Watson noted that some individuals connected to the CFMEU attempted to obstruct his inquiry. “There was an obstinate refusal to cooperate from some critical witnesses,” he remarked. Watson expressed concern that the investigation may have only uncovered a fraction of the violence within the Queensland branch of the CFMEU.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie highlighted the difficulties faced by Watson due to the reluctance of witnesses and victims to come forward, fearing retaliation from the union. The commission of inquiry aims to provide protections for these individuals, ensuring that documents can be obtained to expose what Bleijie described as “insidious militant behavior that has terrorized Queensland for a decade.”
Concerns Over Cost and Impact
When questioned about the potential costs associated with the inquiry, Premier Crisafulli mentioned that the government is in the process of establishing the inquiry’s terms of reference and timeline. He referred to numerous instances where work sites were shut down for reasons that Watson’s report indicated were merely protective measures rather than legitimate safety concerns.
Crisafulli detailed alarming incidents attributed to the CFMEU, stating, “Public offices stormed, women locked in rooms, independent family members harassed at where they work and where they play.” He concluded that the current state of affairs is untenable, asserting that “nothing short of a commission of inquiry will fix it.”
As the inquiry progresses, many in Queensland await its findings with the hope that it will lead to meaningful change within the CFMEU and a safer working environment for all involved in the construction industry.
