CFMEU violence cost Queensland government $22 million on one job site, premier says
Premier David Crisafulli made the claim a day after announcing the Queensland government would launch a commission of inquiry into allegations of a culture of violence within the state branch of the union.
Mr Crisafulli said the union's disruptive tactics had included blocking deliveries and threatening workers.
As a result, additional fencing, lighting and CCTV had to be installed at the site and security was ramped up, which had cost $22 million since February last year.
One incident at the site was referenced in a damning report into the union released last week.
Barrister Geoffrey Watson detailed an occasion where more than ten CFMEU members surrounded a car being driven by two AWU organisers when they were leaving the site in February last year.
As captured on a dash cam, a group of workers began rocking the car and shouting at those inside.
Mr Watson said the identity of "most" of those involved was still unknown.
Mr Crisafulli on Monday said the incident "typified the thuggery of the CFMEU" and was a consequence of having a "militant union".
Mr Crisafulli said no one involved in that incident had been held to account for their behaviour.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the costs associated with delays and the CFMEU "deliberately" trying to interrupt work was a large portion of an additional $55 million which had been directed towards the Centenary Bridge upgrade.
He said 70 days of work had been lost.
"They would deliberately protest on days where there [were] critical tasks," he said.
A commission of inquiry can compel witnesses to give evidence, and charges can be recommended once completed.
Mr Crisafulli has described it as the "strongest lever" available to the government.
There's no details on cost for the commission, but the premier said on Monday he would like to see it begin next month and run for around a year.
Mr Crisafulli promised the commission would provide an additional level of protection for witnesses to come forward.
The commission of inquiry has been welcomed by the Property Council and the Civil Contractors' Federation.
Mr Crisafulli said he did not see a place for the CFMEU in Queensland under its current business model.
Instead, he's promised to return "productivity to job sites".
"I yearn for a day when the likes of the CFMEU aren't in business and they're replaced with the kind of unions that actually care about their workers ... and productivity," he said.
Mr Watson was commissioned to write the report by Queensland administrator Mark Irving KC.
The Queensland branch of the union was placed into administration last year following allegations the Victorian branch was linked to bikie gangs and crime syndicates.
The report was based on 60 interviews Mr Watson conducted.
It detailed the union's use of violence to "support a pursuit of political, industrial and financial power" and alleged that violence or threats were used against women, workplace health and safety inspectors and in some cases, against politicians.
Several former key figures in the union, including secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham, who were accused of having "cultivated a culture of violence" declined Mr Watson's multiple requests for interviews.
Mr Watson described an "obstinate refusal to co-operate from some critical witnesses" as well as others who had been "afflicted with widespread memory loss".
Mr Ravbar has rejected the allegations made by the report and told the ABC last week he had nothing to fear from a commission of inquiry.
The CFMEU administrators declined to comment.
Mr Crisafulli said the government had referred the allegations in the report to police and the state's Crime and Corruption Commission.
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