CFMEU inquiry LIVE updates: Hearings begin again in Queensland after two-month break

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Day one of 30 planned public hearing dates for the return of the CFMEU inquiry in 2026 has started in Brisbane.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Patrick Wheelahan KC says the inquiry will first hear from Damian Long, the chief executive of the Civil Contractors Federation Queensland.

Wheelahan says Long will give evidence as the peak industry representative amid the former state Labor government’s rollout of its so-called best practice industry conditions (BPIC) policies.

“If a contractor was unable to meet these terms, they risked not being successful securing lucrative government construction contracts,” Wheelahan says.

“Council assisting propose that the commission should examine whether a consequence of the BPIC policies was to provide a foothold for the CFMEU to gain influence over state government-funded projects.

“Particularly those over which the CFMEU would not be expected to have significant coverage.

“Questions remain about the way in which the BPICs were allowed to proceed.”

Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of the Queensland government’s Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry, which starts its first hearings of 2026 today.

Our reporters Matt Dennien and William Davis will bring you live updates from the Brisbane Magistrates Court.