Union interference added $22 million to major Brisbane build site: Premier
Speaking a day after announcing a powerful inquiry into the union's 'thug' culture of bullying and intimidation, Crisafulli said 'direct costs because of the behaviour of the CFMEU', including workplace support and fencing and security to keep officials and protesting workers away from the site, amounted to $22 million.
'I'm not even factoring in the costs of project blowouts because of time and the kind of intimidation … I'm talking about the direct costs on one site because of the behaviour of one union,' Crisafulli told reporters on Monday morning.
Crisafulli announced the commission of inquiry on Sunday after a damning 45-page report found the Queensland branch of the controversial building union cultivated a culture of violence, which was 'eagerly executed' by some union organisers, delegates and rank-and-file members.
The report, by barrister Geoffrey Watson, found the Queensland union's former leadership Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham oversaw a culture of abuse and harassment that included threats and intimidation of women and children.
The construction and general division of the CFMEU was placed into administration nationwide last year amid claims bikie and organised crime figures had infiltrated the organisation.
Crisafulli promised support for witnesses during the inquiry, which was due to begin in August and run for 12 months.
'I'm mindful if we don't do this quickly we run the risk of enabling this behaviour to continue in the shadows,' he said.
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