Queensland’s powerful inquiry into the CFMEU and construction industry misconduct will hold 30 further days of public hearings across the next five months as it ramps up its probe into the sector.
The Commission of Inquiry announced on Thursday afternoon it would hold 10 three-day sitting weeks from February 10, though was still to lockdown a venue for two of the weeks in May.
Witness lists will be announced in due course, the inquiry said. Two initial three-day hearing weeks last year heard evidence from key CFMEU and union movement figures.
Evidence from government-appointed CFMEU administration figures across the first week revealed 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.
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.
Wood had initially hoped to hold hearings essentially full-time between February and Easter ahead of the July deadline, said to have been stymied by courtroom availability.
The schedule release on Thursday showed the Brisbane Magistrates Court had been secured for most upcoming hearings, with one to be held in the Commonwealth Law Courts.
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Matt Dennien is a reporter at Brisbane Times covering state politics and the public service. He has previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.
