Updated ,first published
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has hinted that the state’s CFMEU inquiry will more than double, with the inquiry announcing new hearings ahead of its first reporting date.
The Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry revealed on Tuesday morning it had changed. his schedulechanging next week’s session to July and adding a new one that ends on July 30.
Bleijie was also pressed about his use of language attacking the following Labor figures Saturday’s Stafford by-electiondoubling down on opposition rhetoric described as “school bullying” – with an audience of school children at the press conference.
Under the original terms of reference for the $20 million inquiry, it was required to report to the government by July 31. Commissioner Stuart Wood AM KC wrote to the government in recent weeks seeking an extension to December 2027.
Asked at an earlier press conference in Brisbane about the government’s consideration of the request, Bleijie said while he would not confirm whether a decision had been made, he would “hate to see the commission closed when they haven’t done the job”.
“It seems there is – what the commission is saying – more work, so we are focusing on that at the moment,” Bleijie said, noting reports of more than 500,000 documents being worked on by the investigation team as discussions continue.
“Remembering that commissions of inquiry are not cheap … it’s a lot of resources, a lot of resources, put into commissions of inquiry.”
Crisafulli’s government launched the investigation after report to this principal and 60 minutes in crime, corruption and misconduct in the union and sector throughout the country.
Since late the end yearhas held 28 days of public hearings in nine weeks. A further four weeks of three-day hearings are now scheduled to take place from June 9 – for a total of 40 days.
It has aired the claims of the intervention of former Ministers of Labor in industrial disputes with the CFMEU, coalition campaigns using it “Corruption in institutions” of workplace safety controls, and government measures good for his goals.
But the survey has he also faced his own questions about neutrality and the tension between his promise of this and the rhetoric of the Crisafulli government figures describing his focus as only focusing on the CFMEU’s relationship with Labor for the trade union.
In an unusual press conference held by Wood and senior counsel assisting the inquiry Patrick Wheelahan KC in March – the only one held by the inquiry’s figures so far – Wheelahan recommended the inquiry be concluded.
“The inquiries we have been making, and the investigations, have revealed more than we expected,” he told reporters on the Gold Coast.
After Bleijie hurled insults at Labor leaders on Monday, calling Miles a “funny” and a “crap”, Shannon Fentiman as a “loser”, Grace Grace a “disgrace”, Meaghan Scanlon as a “fraud” and Cameron Dick as her surname, the deputy stood behind the language.
Speaking to reporters in front of a group of Eagle Farm State School students, Bleijie had joked that he would behave himself on Tuesday before repeating everything except his suggested label Dick.
Asked if he thought such language was appropriate, Bleijie said it was – accusing Labor figures of trying to distract from it. internal questions about Miles’ leadership of the party following the swing to the LNP in Stafford.
“I’m telling the truth, what I said yesterday was the truth,” Bleijie said.
Speaking in Redcliffe on Tuesday morning, Miles reiterated the view that every one of his Labor colleagues in parliament was behind him and working in the same direction to see Labor re-elected to government in 2028.
Asked if this meant he would not resign before then, Miles said: “no”.
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Matt Dennien is a Brisbane Times reporter covering state, parliamentary and public sector politics. He has previously worked in Tasmanian newspapers and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him safely on Waves @mattdennien.15Connect via email address.
