Commissioner slams police for allowing mob rule at Queensland union dispute

Commissioner Stuart Wood KC used the latest Queensland CFMEU inquiry session to condemn police for abandoning their core responsibility to enforce the law during violent union actions on the Centenary Bridge upgrade, describing the situation as "mob rule." Body-worn video captured CFMEU officials ignoring site safety protocols, refusing to sign in, and blocking a steel-delivery truck, after which police told the driver to depart instead of dispersing the protesters.

The commission also re-examined Geoffrey Watson SC’s explosive findings, questioning his assertion that former union secretary Michael Ravbar directed a systematic campaign of violence and intimidation. Watson’s testimony faced challenges over his claim that Melbourne underworld figure Mick Gatto controlled a network of labour-hire companies, a point he later softened. Additional testimony highlighted disruptive behaviour on the Gold Coast’s Coomera Connector, including former organiser Luke Gibson’s aggressive site visits and an incident where he urinated in a toilet to protest a plumbing plug.

Public Works officials alleged the CFMEU had captured the department through wage-setting policies and threatened to contact former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. The inquiry is set to reconvene next month.