Corruption barrister urges appointment of independent special prosecutor for Queensland construction probe

Geoffrey Watson, the barrister whose July 2025 findings sparked Queensland’s extensive inquiry into the CFMEU and the construction sector, has publicly endorsed calls for an independent special prosecutor to handle any criminal evidence before the commission’s final report, due in 14 months. Watson argued that an outsider could overcome past police inaction he described as being hampered by industrial concerns. Transparency International Australia chief Clancy Moore and Queensland Council of Unions secretary Jacqueline King echoed the demand, warning that waiting until the end of 2027 could delay justice.

The Stuart Wood-led commission, now running until December 2027 with a $95 million budget, has not indicated whether it will request a special prosecutor, leaving the decision to the state government. Industry groups such as the Civil Contractors Federation Queensland and Master Builders Queensland cautioned that any prosecution should follow standard police investigations and that the inquiry is already equipped to expose criminal activity. Hearings are set to resume on October 27, with an interim report on a new construction code expected soon.