The CFMEU administrator has labeled alleged violence inside the union’s Queensland branch as a “cancer” during a Queensland inquiry. Mark Irving KC exposed plans to expel former leaders from Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales amid serious misconduct allegations.
Irving, appointed last year by the federal government, described how union officials across multiple states either ignored or enabled wrongdoing. He stated, “Which is worse? It’s a complete failure of leadership either way,” asserting that misconduct was either wilfully ignored or became part of the union’s operations.
Unlike Victoria, where organised crime allegedly permeated the union’s activities, Irving said Queensland’s main issue was violence rather than organised crime. He explained, “The cancer in Queensland was violence, it wasn’t organised crime.”
Irving specifically criticized ousted Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham, claiming they ruled the state branch with concentrated power. He told the inquiry, “There was no sharing of power … it was Michael Ravbar’s palace, it was Michael Ravbar’s kingdom in which he ruled.”
The administrator announced intentions to terminate memberships of several prominent former CFMEU figures, including Ravbar, Ingham, and notable Victorian and New South Wales leaders. Irving also mentioned considering action against ex-Victorian construction boss John Setka, labeling him a “cancer” that must be removed.
A significant concern raised was a deal in 2020 where up to $50 million of union fees were diverted to the Queensland state branch instead of the federal body. Irving said this agreement could be unlawful and deprived up to 20,000 members of federal voting rights. He explained, “If you’re not a financial member of a branch, you cannot vote in elections.”
Irving said the diverted funds partly purchased properties controlled by the Queensland union branch. He suggested this financial strategy created an “impregnable fiefdom” to prevent the national executive’s oversight. “None of these matters were reported to the national executive … one says that secrecy is a badge of fraud,” he added.
Disputing claims that Queensland leaders mimicked Setka’s violent methods from Victoria, Irving emphasized that violent misconduct in Queensland was severe from the outset. He described the behavior as “pretty horrific from the beginning,” underscoring the deep-rooted problems.
Irving’s revelations come as the public inquiry continues gathering evidence of corruption, intimidation, and bullying linked to the CFMEU. Both Ravbar and Ingham are expected to give testimony at the ongoing commission. Commissioner Stuart Wood KC will deliver his final report to the Queensland government by July.
Read more at: www.abc.net.au