Latest news with #MarkIrving
ABC News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Queensland government announces CFMEU commission of inquiry will investigate entire building industry
An independent inquiry into allegations of a culture of violence within Queensland's construction union will be expanded to investigate crime and corruption across the industry. A bombshell report from barrister Geoffrey Watson SC released earlier this month laid bare a litany of disturbing alleged incidents involving the CFMEU's Queensland branch. Some of the examples alleged union officials told people, "we know where you live" and "there is a bullet with your name on it", while another person was allegedly threatened at a funeral. Shortly after the report was released, the state government announced a commission of inquiry would probe the allegations, with the Watson report noting he feared he had only scratched the surface of violent behaviour. Administrator Mark Irving KC — in charge of the CFMEU since it was placed into administration last year — wrote to Premier David Crisafulli to discuss how to best work with the inquiry. A CFMEU spokesperson said more could be done at an industry level. "The administration believes it is time for employers and state and federal governments to focus on crime and corruption across the industry, rather than a narrow focus on the CFMEU," they said. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said, following comments and allegations made by Nine newspapers, further action was needed. "The government will expand the terms of reference in the royal commission to investigate the revelations today of criminal gangs infiltrating the building industry in Queensland and the CFMEU," he said. "It's important that this royal commission has all the powers necessary and all the terms of reference as broad, as sufficiently broad as possible, to investigate not only the industrial disputation that we've seen over the last 10 years on construction sites, but also the underworld underbelly, criminal activity, criminal gang links." Mr Bleijie said the terms of reference and a commissioner would be locked in next week, with the inquiry to start in August and run for around a year. It will have the power to call people, including alleged underworld figures, union officials, interstate persons of interest, and developers. Mr Bleijie said he'd written to the federal industrial relations minister for a meeting over concerns that existing enterprise agreements may have involved alleged coercion. "We want workers to be well paid. We want them to go to work safe. But we also want a free and fair negotiation and bargaining with the unions and the construction industry," he said. "I might add, most unions do this freely and fairly all the time. "The CFMEU doesn't, and they put a gun to their head." Opposition Leader Steven Miles, who noted Labor was supportive of the inquiry, said it should not be used to erode workers' rights. "I'd be concerned if Jarrod Bleijie sees this as a mechanism to water down safety and wages on our state's construction sites," he said. "Our construction workforce works very hard. We need more of them, not less, and that would be the result if Jarrod Bleijie got his way of reducing their wages and conditions."
ABC News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Report into Queensland CFMEU branch leaves many questions unanswered
It's the open secret that festered on Queensland job sites for years. Women and children caught in the crossfire. A culture of violence, steeped in cowardice and thuggery. The Watson report released this week blew the lid off the inner workings of the Queensland CFMEU in expletive-ridden detail. It revealed a regime that was relentless and ruthless. "The conduct of the CFMEU has required some of their targets to quit their jobs, to move their homes, and to seek medical assistance," barrister Geoffrey Watson wrote. "The CFMEU has ruined careers and caused long-lasting emotional and financial damage to its opponents." The report was commissioned by administrator Mark Irving KC, following allegations that the Victorian CFMEU branch had links to bikies and underworld figures. It exposed a litany of disturbing and violent alleged incidents — too many to detail in a news story. A worker chased with an angle grinder. A 13-year-old child threatened. A young woman abused at her gym. Even funerals weren't a safe space. Perhaps most concerning was Mr Watson noting he feared he "only scratched the surface of the violence" in his three-month investigation. So, how did it get to this? Can the CFMEU be saved? The Watson report detailed numerous alleged incidents of the CFMEU flexing its muscles and attempting to intimidate and threaten politicians to bend to its will. One minister described the union as "so aggressive ... that nothing can satisfy its appetite". Another needed a security upgrade because the abuse was so severe. Opposition Leader Steven Miles this week said he wasn't aware ministers had been threatened, although said he had experienced aggressiveness from the union. "I'd certainly been in meetings where they were behaving in a way I didn't think was appropriate, but that's not uncommon," he said on Thursday. "Some people lose their temper, and sometimes you have to manage that in the context of the meeting." Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick said all matters were referred to the police, and everyone was "shocked by the extent" of the report's allegations. Why then, if such behaviour was occurring, did Labor continue to meet with the union? It took CFMEU protesters bashing in the front door of a government building to get former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to end meetings with the union. Why did the union have a direct phone line to the Office of Industrial Relations? Industry leaders said they had been calling out the bad behaviour for years. Mr Miles rightly pointed out it was his government that asked for the Queensland branch to be put into administration and investigated. That won't stop further questions being asked. Almost 60 people were interviewed during the investigation, but Mr Watson noted there was opposition from some. "There was an obstinate refusal to co-operate from some critical witnesses with connections to the CFMEU," he wrote in the report. "It seems, sadly, that CFMEU officials are afflicted with widespread memory loss." Two former key figures, union secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham, declined Mr Watson's multiple requests for interviews. The report largely blamed the pair for the union's culture, which Mr Ravbar rejected in "the strongest possible terms". The release of the report has promoted calls from construction industry leaders for proceedings in which people could be compelled to give evidence to be held. "We would strongly recommend and focus on a royal commission, in terms of coming into and exposing further behaviours," Emma McCaughey, president of the National Association of Women in Construction Queensland said on Friday. "[It would] provide safety and support for all women who wish to come forward with their stories because we know this report is just the tip of the iceberg." Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie wouldn't rule anything in or out when asked if the government would support such action. Queensland Major Contractors Association chief executive, Andrew Chapman, who also supported a royal commission, labelled the report a "seminal moment". He said the CFMEU's actions had bombed productivity, with some major projects recording only three days a week of effective work. However, he remained optimistic. "On some major projects, we have seen an improvement," Mr Chapman said. "The pipeline is huge in this state. There's housing we have to build, the Olympics, the transport program, the energy transition and the hospital program. That's why we need to improve productivity." Despite his scathing remarks, Mr Watson shared Mr Chapman's positivity in concluding his report. "In my view, the Queensland CFMEU can be restored to function as it used to function — a tough representative of its members, operating lawfully to secure improved conditions and safety in its members' workplaces," he wrote. Hope builds eternal. But the CFMEU's culture of violence, of which just a sliver seems to have been revealed, won't easily be deconstructed.
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- The Guardian
Report on Queensland CFMEU referred to police after ‘threats of violence, intimidation, misogyny' alleged
The findings of an investigation commissioned by the administrator of the Queensland branch of the CFMEU, which found the union 'embraced a culture which encouraged and celebrated the use of threats of violence, intimidation, misogyny and bullying', have been referred to the police. The report, titled Violence in the Queensland CFMEU, was conducted by Centre for Public Integrity senior counsel Geoffrey Watson. It was released on Wednesday night. It concluded that the union made a 'mockery of union values' through an alleged culture of intimidation under the former leadership. Administrator Mark Irving said the reviewer interviewed 55 witnesses, was provided with documentation and videos relating to alleged incidents and received the full support of the union. 'Much of this was not done in private and the fact that it has taken so long to be called out is partly due to the fear of retribution by those targeted,' Irving said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Alleged incidents detailed in the report included a fake bomb threat at a work site in Brisbane, the use of video to identify work site safety inspectors to expose them and their family to harassment, and intimidation of many people within and outside government, including ministers. Much of the alleged abuse detailed was gendered, including the routine use of the word 'cunt' to women. The report notes an alleged incident from about 2022 when a workplace health and safety inspector attended a site at Brendale north of Brisbane. An employee said to be holding a functioning angle grinder allegedly approached, yelling 'I want to take you outside and bash the shit out of you.' In another alleged incident a workplace health and safety inspector was attending the funeral of his friend's wife when he was allegedly approached by three unknown men. One allegedly said 'You're that cunt from the video.' Another is alleged to have added 'You're a bit of a fucking dog.' The report notes that the CFMEU had recently posted what it describes as an inflammatory video about that inspector on its Facebook page. It also used violence and threats against the Australian Workers' Union to further industrial aims, he alleged. 'I fear this investigation only scratched the surface of the violence in the Queensland CFMEU. There are many other potential witnesses and many other stories which could have been told,' report says. Watson said the union was also regularly fined through the courts, but was able to 'defeat the sting' of personal payment orders against individual union leaders by having the union pay fines. The union was convicted of offences about 55 times more than the next-placed union, he said. Committing offences was part of the union's business model with fines 'the cost of doing business', he alleged. 'It seems more likely that breaching the laws and suffering fines was an integral part of the CFMEU business model. Its reputation as an aggressive outlaw created a fear and reticence among those dealing with the CFMEU,' he said. Irving said he would use his power to expel members involved in wrongdoing from the union, potentially banning them from future elections. He said the culture that prevailed under the old leadership 'was violent, cruel and misogynist and betrayed the core values of unionism. It will be replaced by a new culture based on union values of justice, equality and solidarity.' The deputy Queensland premier, Jarrod Bleijie, said the report had been immediately forwarded to the Queensland police service on Wednesday night. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion He ruled out deregistering or dissolving the union at a press conference on Thursday. 'I can commit to Queenslanders, and I've spoken directly with premier David Crisafulli this morning,' Bleijie said. 'We're going to get to the bottom of this. This says it scratches the surface. We will find out more. We'll investigate more, and we, if need be, [will] legislate to make sure workers are safe on construction sites'. The Queensland Council of Unions general secretary, Jacqueline King, and president, Kate Ruttiman, apologised for the actions of the former union leadership. The union had disaffiliated from the peak body in 2018. King said the former CFMEU leadership had 'deeply let down Queensland workers and members of our community. You have let down the Queensland trade union movement.' The Queensland Labor leader, Steven Miles, said he was 'shocked and appalled' at the allegations revealed in the report. 'I'm a proud trade unionist, and there is no place in the trade union movement [for] this kind of the behaviour,' he said. 'It is not the trade union movement that I know and I am a member of.' The first report is partly redacted to obscure some names and personal details to 'prevent repercussions against those who have provided assistance', the report says. Watson also completed a second, confidential report, which has yet to be released to government. Bleijie said the government would be seeking a copy of this to further their own investigations.
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Bullets, coffins and abuse: CFMEU's reign of terror exposed in damning report
WARNING: Coarse language A scathing report has exposed the Queensland branch of militant construction union the CFMEU's reign of fear, detailing threats of bullets, sexual abuse, and the targeting of children over their parents' roles. A bombshell 45-page investigation by anti-corruption expert Geoffrey Watson SC, commissioned by union administrator Mark Irving KC, has revealed a deeply disturbing portrait of the CFMEU's conduct under former state leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham. NewsWire is not suggesting Mr Ravbar or Mr Ingham engaged in any wrongdoing. Mr Watson described it as a 'perverted model' of unionism where threats and abuse were used to dominate and control. Among the most shocking findings was a litany of vile threats, including officials telling people 'we know where you live' and 'there's a bullet with your name on it', a public servant locked in a cupboard; and a young woman harassed at a gym over her father's role as a workplace health and safety inspector. Mr Watson said the CFMEU 'actually intended to inflict physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse on others' and showed 'no genuine remorse' for its behaviour. 'The CFMEU is ruthless – it will crush anyone offering any resistance to it,' Mr Watson wrote. 'This included, if necessary, destroying individuals and businesses.' He cited other threats such as 'we know you have two young sons', and 'we won't stop coming for you – no one can protect you'. The report found CFMEU leaders fostered an environment where violence was used to intimidate Workplace Health and Safety inspectors, public servants, rival unions, and employers. The report stated that in 2021, a 21-year-old woman was approached at a Brisbane gym and told: 'Is that your old man on the video? He's a f**king c**t.' In another incident, a WHS inspector attending a funeral was surrounded by three strangers who hurled abuse at him, calling him a 'c**t' and a 'f**king dog Another WHS official was stalked by a union member wielding a live angle grinder. In another case, CFMEU members hoisted a coffin outside the Master Builders' office in a protest, shouting to a young woman behind the glass: 'Come out here and I'll f**k you.' Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the level of abuse detailed in the report was more horrifying than even he had suspected despite warning about the union's conduct for years. 'Public servants, women locked in cupboards and threatened. Staff members of Workplace Health and Safety … it's worse than I could have imagined,' Mr Bleijie said on Today. 'They threatened people with bullets. They threatened people with coffins. (They said): 'You won't come home from the construction site'.' Mr Bleijie said family members were treated as 'fair game'. 'I knew it was but I have to admit I didn't think it was this bad,' Mr Bleijie said on Sunrise. 'We already changed legislation in the first three months (of) government to stem a lot of these issues out of the CFMEU, but this report is wild and worse than I could have imagined.' The report stated things became so bad for WHS inspectors that they had to introduce their own safe work practices to protect themselves, including body-worn cameras and a buddy system. The union also stormed government offices, caused $25,000 in damage during a lockdown, and issued a bomb threat at a West End site, the report found. Mr Watson wrote in his report that CFMEU organisers said they had never seen any violence emanating from the union. 'That is laughable given the extensive court findings and the irrefutable video evidence,' Mr Watson stated. Mr Watson conducted 55 interviews with CFMEU officials, members, other trade unionists, politicians, bureaucrats, building contractors, employer representatives, bystanders, and victims and examined extensive video and photographic evidence. Despite this, he said he feared his investigation 'only scratched the surface'.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- ABC News
CFMEU administrator condemns 'violent, cruel, misogynist' culture following damning report
The administrator of the Queensland branch of the CFMEU has sworn to "replace the old culture" following a damning report into allegations of violence and misogyny at the union. Mark Irving KC savaged the CFMEU's behaviour, pledging to act on the report's findings while protecting witnesses and victims. "I do not need to wait for police complaints to act. I do not need to wait for criminal charges to be laid," he said in a statement. "Where there is clear and credible evidence of violent, cruel, or misogynist behaviour then I can deal with that behaviour now, rather than wait years for other authorities to act." The union was placed into administration last year following allegations of links in Victoria to bikie gangs and crime syndicates. Mr Irving KC commissioned barrister Geoffrey Watson SC to investigate the claims in the Queensland branch. Barrister Geoffrey Watson SC handed down his report yesterday, concluding that the union had breached "every aspect" of its own anti-violence policy, using threats and coercion to cause fear. Mr Irving said despite the damage done to the union's reputation he believed "fundamental change in the CFMEU Qld Branch is achievable". "Other unions in Queensland operate in a fundamentally different way. Other unions in the construction industry operate differently." He said disciplinary action, dismissals and expulsions would be used to achieve cultural change. "I will replace the old culture with one that embraces traditional union values of accountability, decency and properly respecting the dignity of all workers," he said. New arrangements would be put in place managing employees and delegates, including conduct and behaviour guidelines. Employees unwilling to comply won't be welcomed back. "The CFMEU is committed to returning as a respected and respectful partner to the broader trade union movement," Mr Irving KC said. He said those who have been affected by the union's actions will be given a formal apology. The Watson report laid much of the blame for the CFMEU's culture at the feet of secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham. "The campaign of violence was very likely planned and directed by the CFMEU leadership," it said. "The campaign was eagerly executed by some CFMEU organisers, some delegates, and some rank-and-file members. Ravbar and Ingham successfully cultivated a culture of violence in the CFMEU." Both Mr Ravbar Mr Inham have been contacted for comment. The pair refused multiple invitations from Mr Watson to participate in the investigation. In one of the more disturbing incidents alleged in the report, Mr Watson detailed how a female public servant attended the CFMEU offices as part of a delegation and was separated from her colleagues in another office. The report noted Mr Ravbar entered, locked the door from the inside, and a big man stood with him blocking the door. "Ravbar began to berate the woman, shouting, getting close to her face, using abusive and denigrating language. Ravbar made it plain that the woman was being watched by the CFMEU. He said the woman "should be dragged out of here" and she was told "we're after you!". This went on for about 15 minutes," the report detailed. The woman thought she would be attacked physically and required psychological assistance after the incident. Mr Irving said the union deserved better than what was delivered from the former leaders. "The report exposes the role played by the former CFMEU leadership (led by Micheal Ravbar and Jade Ingham) running a regime that was violent, cruel, misogynist and that betrayed the core values of unionism." He noted disciplinary procedures against each had begun. The Watson report outlined that since the union had been put into administration, the south-east Queensland construction sector had been "relatively peaceful". "This cessation of violence demonstrates two important things. The first is that the CFMEU campaign was planned and controlled from the top: once Ravbar and Ingham were removed, the violence abated. "The second is that the cessation of violence proves that the cycle of violence can be broken." Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie, said the "shocking" findings revealed "systemic horrors" within the union. He accused the former Labor government of "enabling" the behaviour. "While the CFMEU were out there bullying, physically intimidating, and threatening women and children, the Labor party were driving the getaway car for the CFMEU," he said. "The Labor party in Queensland enabled the CFMEU and its violence, intimidation, fear, threats, and misogyny for over 10 years. "They enabled the CFMEU through legislation, through accepting donations, by putting CFMEU officials on boards in high places. "I'm not playing politics with the seriousness of how I keep talking about the Labor party, but I'm sorry, they have a lot of explaining to do." Mr Bleijie claimed serving shadow ministers had close associations with the union while in government. He pointed to Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman's maiden speech in Queensland parliament, where she thanked the CFMEU and Michael Ravbar. Mr Bleijie showed a photo of Labor MP Mick de Brenni at parliament during a union protest last year. "Who was a senior minister in the Palaszczuk-Miles government, joined his comrades on the balcony of parliament, like a king waving to his comrades and supporters, he thanked the CFMEU for thanking him." The Watson report detailed incidents of threats and intimidation against former Labor ministers, one requiring a security update, with a particular focus on female MPs. Mr Bleijie said he had "no sympathy". "I'm sorry, cry me another river, they enabled it."
