The Queensland Government will conduct a Commission of Inquiry into the State branch of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU).
Premier David Crisafulli announced the inquiry over the weekend in the wake of a report by Geoffrey Watson SC on Queensland’s construction industry.
Premier Crisafulli said the Violence in the Queensland CFMEU report systemic violence, intimidation, misogyny and bullying within the branch.
He said the report found the CFMEU’s “campaign of violence” was likely planned and directed by key members of the union against workers, women and children.
“Concerningly, the report saw just 55 people interviewed over the course of the three-month investigation as many of those approached, including critical witnesses and victims, feared retribution.”
Premier Crisafulli said Mr Watson himself had stated: “I fear this investigation only scratched the surface of the violence in the Queensland CFMEU”.
The Premier said the Government had referred the Watson report to the Queensland Police Service, for their consideration.
“If this report only scratched the surface, we owe it to Queenslanders to get the full picture with a Commission of Inquiry,” he said.
“This is the most powerful Inquiry in the State to give a voice to those made powerless by the CFMEU.”
Premier Crisafulli said this was the spotlight needed to bring the CFMEU “out of the shadows”.
“The violence, bullying and intimidation will have no place to hide.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations 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.
