Queensland’s construction union has claimed there are no cultural issues in the organisation, months after a report exposed allegations of systemic violence and misogyny.<\/p>\n
The Watson report alleged the CFMEU inflicted physical, emotional, and economic abuse to further its political and financial agenda.<\/p>\n
The union was put into administration last year, following allegations of links to organised crime in Victoria.<\/p>\n
Administrator Mark Irving KC commissioned Geoffrey Watson SC to investigate the claims in the Queensland branch, with his scathing report published in July.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Geoffrey Watson’s report made damning allegations against the culture of the CFMEU. (ABC News: Glenn Mullane)<\/p>\n
CFMEU Queensland executive officer Jared Abbott said after 12 months of work, the union had fixed the systemic problems.<\/p>\n
“I can say right now there are no issues within CFMEU Queensland, in terms of a cultural problem, and I have full confidence in all the staff who work with me,” he said.<\/p>\n
“People need to remember that unions are a voluntary organisation that people join, and under freedom of association, we don’t block people from joining them.<\/p>\n
“So I can’t speak on every single member in the CFMEU and whether or not they’re going to fit a level of standard that is considered acceptable.<\/p>\n
“What I can tell you is, from within the organisation, we’re constantly promoting what a good culture is, and we are showing what leadership is in terms of how we expect people to act.”<\/p>\n
CFMEU used as a ‘stalking horse’<\/p>\n
Mr Abbott fielded the questions at a press conference with the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU), claiming productivity talks were being used to erode worker safety.<\/p>\n
During questioning on the CFMEU’s culture, QCU general secretary Jacqueline King stepped in to back Mr Abbott and his efforts.<\/p>\n
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Queensland Unions General Secretary Jacqueline King says she supports the changes made at the CFMEU.\u00a0 (ABC News: Rachel Riga)<\/p>\n
She claimed the government wanted a good relationship with all unions, apart from the CFMEU.<\/p>\n
“They want to be seen as a moderate government and get on with the process of governing Queensland, except when it comes to the CFMEU,” Ms King said.<\/p>\n
“Now, I have had that exception put to me on at least four occasions by very senior ranking people within the LNP government.”<\/p>\n
Ms King condemned the behaviour of the previous CFMEU leadership, but claimed the Queensland government was using the Watson report to erode employees’ rights.<\/p>\n
“There is an agenda here, which is about using the CFMEU as a stalking horse to reduce the wages, conditions and safety, not just for construction workers, but through the back door to all Queensland workers.”<\/p>\n
‘No apologies’ for productivity reforms<\/p>\n
The LNP re-established the state’s productivity commission shortly after coming to government, tasking it with examining the construction industry.<\/p>\n
An interim report released in July found falling productivity on job sites may have cost the state more than 70,000 extra homes.<\/p>\n
Acting Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the findings were “sobering”.<\/p>\n
“We make no apologies for re-establishing the productivity commission, getting productivity back onto our work sites, because if we are to deliver the infrastructure required for 2032 and beyond, the legacy, we’re going to need productivity on worksites,” he said.<\/p>\n