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A quick refresher on the road to this week’s public hearing block
Just jumping into the inquiry? Need a refresher on the ground covered so far? Here’s a recap of the powerful probe’s work to date.
The Crisafulli government launched the $19.7 million probe after reporting by this masthead and 60 Minutes into criminality, corruption and misconduct in the union and sector nationwide.
Due to provide a final report by July 31, the inquiry under Commissioner Stuart Wood has also faced questions of its own amid government attacks against the union and former Labor government.
This month: Current and former Workplace Health and Safety Queensland staff last week laid out their experience of CFMEU influence over the office the inquiry says it is looking into as one of four examples of “regulatory capture” by the union. Earlier, the inquiry held an unusual media conference outside a Gold Coast company with suggested links to Melbourne underworld identity Mick Gatto, and hinted at finding “more than we expected” when asked if they would need a time extension.
Last month: The inquiry held its first (of 10) three-day public hearing blocks for the year, with evidence from a senior civil construction industry figure and the CFMEU administrators’ former corruption-busting barrister. There was much focus on the latter’s recent Victorian-focused report, but also accusations a former Labor minister directed his department to negotiate with the union.
Late last year: Across hearings in November and December, the inquiry heard from government-appointed CFMEU administration figures about the former leadership’s use of violence to expand their “fiefdom” into civil construction. A second hearing block delved deeper into the why, how and who, driven by two union leaders on the receiving end, or in the middle of, the building union’s alleged efforts.
What we learned yesterday
Welcome back for another day of our live coverage of the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry.
After spending last week probing the “regulatory capture” of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland by the CFMEU, the inquiry this week turns its sights to the Cross River Rail project.
In opening remarks, counsel assisting the inquiry Edward Gisonda, SC, describes the multibillion-dollar project as “one of the biggest and most important case studies” the inquiry will consider.
After a detailed run through of the history, first on the witness list is the highest-level public sector figure so far, Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
