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Queensland’s inquiry into the CFMEU and construction sector has announced seven new sitting weeks across the rest of the year after its timeframe was more than doubled by the Crisafulli government.
But last week’s state budget, and subsequent questions to the government, have provided no further detail about funding for the inquiry, extended to December 2027 after an initial end-date next month.
A spokesperson for Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said only the expanded probe would “continue to be fully resourced to ensure this critical work can proceed without delay and expose the full extent of any wrongdoing”.
The inquiry has so far held 34 days of public hearings over 11 weeks since late November with evidence from anti-corruption barristers, union movement and industry figures, and public servants.
But the inquiry has also faced questions of its own amid government attacks against the union and former Labor government.
Last week’s budget papers included no mention of funding for the extended CFMEU inquiry. Asked by this masthead about its ongoing budget allocation, the spokesperson for Frecklington gave no further detail.
They said reiterated its initial $19.6 million allocation to probe “serious failures of the former Labor government”, which included “violence, misogyny and misconduct in the construction sector”.
“The CFMEU Inquiry has been extended and will continue to be fully resourced to ensure this critical work can proceed without delay and expose the full extent of any wrongdoing”.
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