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Queensland’s CFMEU inquiry will hold its first block of public hearings within a fortnight despite the sudden loss of five key staff members, with their replacements to be detailed in days.
This masthead revealed the highly anticipated inquiry had suffered a significant setback after its senior counsel assisting and three other barristers resigned amid concerns about its operations.
The inquiry’s secretary, Bob Gee, who took leave from a senior public service role for the job under commissioner Stuart Wood, KC, has also left to become the state’s interim Victims’ Commissioner.
Commissioner Stuart Wood, KC, during the first public hearing on October 1 in Brisbane.Credit: AAP
On Wednesday, the inquiry announced its first two blocks of public hearings. The first will run across November 18, 19 and 20, with a second to span December 2, 3 and 4.
“Witness lists for each hearing block will be announced in due course,” the inquiry said in a statement.
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Asked about recruitment for the vacant roles and whether this was expected to be completed before the hearings, an inquiry spokesperson said: “details of appointments … will be available shortly”.
Government sources had said the concerns – including claims about failures to share key information and disagreement over investigative strategies – were rebutted by Wood.
A source close to the inquiry had said new barristers were being recruited and it was business as usual as investigations continued.
Questioned about the situation at the inquiry this week, Premier David Crisafulli put the senior counsel’s departure down to personal challenges, but avoided weighing in on the rest.
After Crisafulli directed such questions to Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, she declined to answer, saying it would be inappropriate to comment on the independent inquiry’s internal matters.
Crisafulli also said he was focused on establishing safe environments, and ensuring alleged misogyny, bullying and a culture of intimidation was left in the past.
Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Jacqueline King has said the barristers’ “concerning” departures raised questions to which unions and the public deserved answers.
Wood’s appointment as commissioner has been viewed with deep scepticism by the Labor movement, given his longstanding ties to the Liberal Party.
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