Queensland LNP Probes CFMEU and Labor Ties in Major Inquiry

The Liberal National Party (LNP) government in Queensland has launched a sweeping Commission of Inquiry into the state branch of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), targeting allegations of violence, intimidation, and its cozy relationship with the former Labor government. Premier David Crisafulli announced the probe on July 13, 2025, vowing to expose a culture of bullying and hold accountable those who enabled it. This article explores the inquiry’s scope, its political implications, and the LNP’s push for transparency in Queensland’s construction sector.

The inquiry follows a damning report by Geoffrey Watson SC, which exposed a “campaign of violence” within the CFMEU, allegedly orchestrated by former union leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham. The report, commissioned by CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC, detailed widespread misogyny, coercion, and threats, including against women and children. Premier Crisafulli, speaking at a press conference, called the inquiry “Queensland’s royal commission” into the union, emphasizing its role in restoring safety and productivity to construction sites ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. “This is about drawing a line in the sand,” he stated, pledging to end the CFMEU’s “thug culture.”

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has been vocal, accusing the former Labor government of shielding the CFMEU. He singled out ex-Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace as the union’s “chief enabler,” claiming Labor ran a “protection racket” for the union’s militant behavior. Bleijie likened the inquiry to the 1987 Fitzgerald Inquiry, which toppled a corrupt conservative government, signaling a bold move to hold Labor accountable for a decade of alleged complicity. Grace, now in opposition, admitted to needing extra security due to union threats, a revelation that underscores the inquiry’s urgency.

The LNP’s inquiry aims to compel witnesses and documents to uncover the full extent of the CFMEU’s influence and Labor’s role in enabling it. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington emphasized that Queenslanders deserve answers about the “culture of fear” that festered under Labor’s watch. While Opposition Leader Steven Miles offered bipartisan support, he accused Bleijie of politicizing the issue. The LNP, however, remains steadfast, framing the inquiry as a critical step to clean up Queensland’s construction industry and restore public trust.