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Commissioner Stuart Wood during a hearing of Queensland’s CFMEU inquiry – now extended until December.

CFMEU probe head flags interim report as union grills former watchdog

The inquiry has its eye on making recommendations for an updated state building code, after wrapping up evidence from former watchdog figures.

  • Matt Dennien

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The national takeover of the problem-plagued Health Workers Union could continue for another year.

Scandal-plagued union in fresh fight for control

Leaders of the Health Workers Union are at loggerheads over when the branch should be returned to the hands of members after its former boss was forced out.

  • Kieran Rooney
Youth and Carers Minister Luba Grigorovitch with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan in April.

Labor MP apologises for backing domestic abuser, five others with character references

Luba Grigorovitch said she will no longer provide character references after uncovering six of the 33 she had made since 2022 were unsuitable.

  • Angus Delaney
Ballots for the United Workers Union election close on Thursday.

The union election that could upend the Labor Party’s balance of power

Ballots close today to decide who leads the United Workers Union. The result will reverberate for many years, shaping everything from policy fights to who leads the Labor Party.

  • Kieran Rooney
Langbroek (centre) at a meeting with departmental officials including director-general Sharon Schimming (third from left) in December 2024.

‘Banter’ or harbinger? Minister enters budget chat with a dark track

This week in our Queensland public sector column, Public Circus details a funding funeral march, an extended search for an Ombudsman, a teacher’s new party, and more.

  • Matt Dennien, Catherine Strohfeldt and Julius Dennis
Hayden Jones receiving an award for his CFMEU work on the Cairns Convention Centre site, with Michael Ravbar (left) and Jade Ingham.

‘We own Fair Work’: Cairns companies recount decade of CFMEU intimidation

The Commission of Inquiry has heard evidence of intimidation and suspected sabotage by the CFMEU at the $176 million Cairns Convention Centre project.

  • Cameron Atfield
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Commuters are set to be crammed in like sardines, with more three-car trains running as Queensland Rail blames the unions.

‘Too little, too late’: Talks fail to solve Magic Round train dispute

The union said it had extended an olive branch on Thursday to ease disruptions, but Queensland Rail dubbed it a “a fake offer”.

  • Rosanna Ryan and William Davis
WHSQ regional director for North Queensland Paul Smith testifying in Cairns on Thursday

Safety director admits misleading Brisbane bosses to avoid CFMEU

A regional WHSQ boss has admitted being “dishonest” with Brisbane superiors to protect Far North inspectors from the CFMEU, which he likened to the mafia.

  • Cameron Atfield
Builders say the dismissal of union organisers will pave the way for real change in the industry.

‘Serious allegation’: Senior WHS officer accused of ‘working’ for CFMEU

The CFMEU inquiry has heard explosive accusations against a senior Workplace Health and Safety Queensland official.

  • Cameron Atfield
The inquiry into the militant CFMEU continues in Brisbane.

Cairns workplace safety officers claim Brisbane bosses did CFMEU’s bidding

Inspectors in Cairns were bullied by Brisbane superiors into prioritising minor union complaints over life-threatening safety risks, the union inquiry has heard.

  • Cameron Atfield