Politics · Australia · 4 hrs ago
Queensland inquiry urges construction reforms after CFMEU misconduct claims
Queensland’s inquiry into alleged CFMEU misconduct has issued an interim report while its investigation continues.
Commissioner Stuart Wood says evidence from public hearings and witnesses has raised serious concerns about violence, intimidation and improper union influence.
He recommends a strict building industry code and a dedicated watchdog to enforce it.
The report says the former Labor government’s Best Practice Industry Conditions policy raised costs by at least 20 per cent on three major projects.
The estimated extra cost to taxpayers was more than $670 million, including about $500 million for Cross River Rail, and does not include the cost of delays.
The findings matter as Queensland prepares for the 2032 Olympics and faces major construction demands.
The state government is considering the recommendations, while the inquiry’s final report is due by the end of 2027.
Queensland inquiry commissioner Stuart Wood has called for urgent construction industry reforms after hearings into alleged CFMEU misconduct.
His interim report recommends a strict building industry code and a dedicated watchdog to enforce it.
The report found the Best Practice Industry Conditions policy increased costs by at least 20 per cent across three major projects.
The estimated additional cost to taxpayers was more than $670 million, including about $500 million for Cross River Rail.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the government was considering the recommendations, while Opposition Leader Steven Miles apologised for not acting sooner on the policy.
- Who
- Commissioner Stuart Wood KC recommended reforms. The inquiry is examining alleged CFMEU misconduct.
- What
- An interim report called for a strict building industry code and a dedicated watchdog.
- When
- The interim report was tabled in parliament the week of November 13, 2026.
- Where
- Queensland, Australia.
- Why
- The commissioner said the evidence of alleged misconduct was extensive and disturbing and that reform was urgently needed. The report also found the BPIC policy had increased costs on major public projects.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Palaszczuk government introduced the Best Practice Industry Conditions policy.
Public hearings and testimony from more than 80 witnesses examined claims of union misconduct.
Commissioner Stuart Wood's interim report was tabled in parliament, recommending a building industry code and dedicated watchdog.
Opposition Leader Steven Miles apologised for not acting sooner on BPIC.
- Interim report
- 167 pages
- Inquiry evidence
- Nearly eight million documents and more than 80 witnesses
- BPIC cost estimate
- At least 20 per cent extra across three projects
- Estimated additional expenses
- More than $670 million
- Cross River Rail estimate
- About $500 million
What people are saying
urgent and pressing
We are going forward. We're going forward with a productive construction industry, a safe construction industry and not one that is at the behest of the demands and the abuse that we've seen by the CFMEU
I accept that I could have and should have acted sooner — and for not acting sooner, I apologise
Basically, for every two hospitals, you could've got a third one built for free — that was the impact it was having on the state.