A state inquiry in Queensland has revealed how the CFMEU, one of Australia’s most powerful trade unions, allegedly attempted to manipulate the workplace health and safety regulator, Kym Bancroft. The inquiry, led by Stuart Wood, was initiated by the state government in response to reports detailing criminality and corruption within the CFMEU and the broader construction sector.
The inquiry’s initial three days of hearings in late November focused on testimony from Jacqueline King, general secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU), and CFMEU administrator Mark Irving. Evidence presented highlighted the union’s use of intimidation to eliminate competition from the Australian Workers Union (AWU) on civil construction sites, as well as attempts to undermine workplace safety regulations in Queensland.
During her testimony, King detailed a troubling history with former CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar and ousted official Jade Ingham. She noted that Ravbar had sought to create a “fiefdom” within the union, aiming to control not only his own organization but also influence broader union activities. According to King, Ravbar attempted to disrupt meetings of the Workplace Health and Safety Board, making it “completely dysfunctional” due to the presence of former CFMEU state president Royce Kupsch.
King stated that she had not communicated with Ravbar since at least 2018, when she took on a senior role at the QCU. She described Ravbar’s efforts to consolidate power within the union, including attempts to recruit other union officials to support his agenda.
The inquiry also examined Bancroft’s relationship with the CFMEU. King claimed that Bancroft, who began her role in 2022, aimed to foster a cooperative relationship with the union. However, her frequent visits to the CFMEU office raised concerns. King remarked, “She became almost a captured pawn,” indicating that Bancroft faced significant pressure from the union after she attempted to assert her authority.
Bancroft’s tenure ended early in 2023, following a campaign from the CFMEU that demanded her personal involvement in compliance matters. According to King, the union’s aggressive tactics escalated after a bill was introduced in Queensland’s parliament to close loopholes allowing CFMEU officials without right of entry permits to access workplaces.
King recounted her only major interaction with Ingham, which occurred on International Women’s Day. Ingham, seeking to delay the bill, argued that this would enhance his standing within the union as he prepared to run against Ravbar for the secretary position. King rejected Ingham’s request, which she believed triggered a surge in industrial action from the CFMEU on projects such as the Cross River Rail and Centenary Bridge upgrade.
The inquiry is set to resume with additional testimonies, including from AWU state secretary Stacey Schinnerl. The revelations from this inquiry are poised to have significant implications for workplace safety regulations and union governance within Queensland and beyond.
