When Graeme Easterby referred allegations of Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) interference at Queensland’s building regulator to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) he expected a rigorous investigation.
Instead, he said politics prevented the matter from progressing.
“I clearly remember they [CCC officials] said they didn’t see it going anywhere while the [Labor] government is in power,” Mr Easterby, a former Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licensing manager, told the long-running commission of inquiry into the CFMEU.
The probe has wrapped up its tenth block of public hearings with explosive new allegations of political interference levelled against senior Palaszczuk government ministers Mick de Brenni and Grace Grace.
On Thursday, Opposition Leader Steven Miles said Labor would not give a running commentary on the inquiry but warned the claims remain “untested”.
Steven Miles has maintained his support for Mick de Brenni and Grace Grace. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
“We should be cautious in taking them as fact,” Mr Miles told reporters in Mackay on Thursday.
“Where those individuals named get the opportunity … they will be able to put their own side of those stories and … get the opportunity for their lawyers to interrogate those witnesses.”
He maintained his support for both Mr de Brenni and Ms Grace.
‘Under pressure’ from minister
In his testimony on Wednesday, Mr Easterby suggested the CFMEU wielded influence over the highest levels of the QBCC, including then-commissioner Brett Bassett and the board.
The inquiry heard ousted former CFMEU leader Jade Ingham was appointed to the QBCC board in 2018, around the same time Mr Easterby arrived at the regulator.
Graham Easterby suggested the CFMEU wielded influence over the highest levels of the QBCC. (Supplied)
Mr Easterby said the CFMEU would often write directly to government ministers, including then-public works and procurement minister Mr de Brenni, complaining about non-union contractors.
Mr Easterby told the inquiry Mr Bassett admitted that the QBCC was “under pressure” from both Mr Ingham and Mr de Brenni to investigate and take licensing action against certain contractors.
“I was a little dumbfounded,” Mr Easterby said, adding that regulators were “meant to be independent”.
“It struck me as unusual that the minister would actively intervene in operational matters,” he said.
He said he had “never experienced that kind of ministerial involvement” during previous roles with Queensland Health and the Australian Federal Police.
Former Labor minister Mick de Brenni allegedly pressured the QBCC to investigate certain contractors. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
‘Poor woman’
Former Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) deputy director-general Kym Bancroft, who tried to address alleged CFMEU misconduct during her tenure, also gave evidence on Wednesday.
She was questioned over systemic and cultural issues within the OIR, particularly within the construction inspectorate which was led by former director of construction, compliance and field services Helen Burgess.
The inquiry has alleged Ms Burgess was the “primary conduit” between the CFMEU and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).
Former OIR deputy director-general Kym Bancroft gave evidence at the inquiry on Wednesday. (Supplied)
Ms Bancroft cited a meeting she attended with former industrial relations minister Grace Grace in which she alleges Ms Grace defended Ms Burgess, referring to the “multiple investigations and complaints” against her.
“This poor woman should be left alone, she’s been through so much,” Ms Grace allegedly said.
Ms Bancroft said she was “surprised” by that comment given the “numerous systemic issues compromising the integrity of WHSQ”.
Minister ‘good at managing stakeholders’
Ms Bancroft also detailed her efforts to dismantle the CFMEU’s so-called safety “hotline” to government by setting up a new complaints triage system which was met with fierce resistance from the union.
The inquiry heard Ms Grace ultimately intervened and deferred the new system.
“I don’t know why this … topic and issue had escalated to the minister. Normally the minister wouldn’t be involved in a decision of an operational nature like this,” Ms Bancroft said.
“Either way, I get a phone call from the director‑general [Michael] De’Ath, and he said: ‘Minister Grace has considered this triaging system.’
“And he said something along the lines of: ‘One thing Minister Grace is really good at is … managing stakeholders.'”
The inquiry heard Grace Grace allegedly deferred a complaints triage system that had met with union resistance. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
The inquiry heard Ms Bancroft was sacked in 2023 after nine months in the role and was told by Mr De’Ath it was because “a union is unhappy with you”.
Mr Miles denied he was aware of allegations of CFMEU interference at both the QBCC and the OIR.
Public hearings will continue in Brisbane next week.
