Emotional Testimony at Inquiry into Union Misconduct
A high-ranking official has shared a deeply emotional account of alleged abuse involving the former head of the CFMEU, Michael Ravbar, during an inquiry into union misconduct and potential criminal connections in Queensland. The commission of inquiry is currently conducting its tenth block of public hearings in Brisbane, with several key testimonies being heard.
Andrea Fox, a senior executive from the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR), provided a detailed account of a 2018 meeting with Mr Ravbar at the CFMEU’s headquarters in Bowen Hills. During this encounter, Ms Fox described how Mr Ravbar verbally attacked her, calling her out for what he perceived as her actions against the union.
“Immediately, he was very, very angry … I think he started with the line: ‘You have some gall coming here,” Ms Fox recalled. She explained that Mr Ravbar reportedly said, “We should have you physically dragged out of here and thrown out of this building.” The situation escalated quickly, with Mr Ravbar becoming increasingly intense and spiteful.
“He was saying: ‘People like you disgust me’ … it was really rage-filled. He was incredibly furious with me,” she added. Ms Fox broke down again while describing her fear that Mr Ravbar might physically assault her during the meeting.
“It felt like he wanted me to cry or beg for mercy,” she said. “I thought maybe he would lose control of his temper and punch me or grab me and shake me. I was prepared to get under the table.”
She also mentioned that former CFMEU president Royce Kupsh was present at the meeting but remained silent throughout the interaction. This was the first time Ms Fox had met Mr Ravbar, and she was unaware of what had upset him. Following the incident, she required professional counselling to deal with the emotional impact.
Ms Fox noted that while Mr Ravbar had episodes of out-of-control rage, she also recognized his significant power within the union. Under cross-examination, Mr Ravbar’s lawyer, Charles Massey, questioned whether there were opposing views between the CFMEU and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland regarding industrial manslaughter. He suggested that Mr Ravbar had referred to Ms Fox as a “roadblock on these issues.”
Focus on Alleged Union Influence Over Regulators
The inquiry has also turned its attention to allegations that the CFMEU has exerted undue influence over state regulators. Counsel assisting the inquiry, Dimitri Ternovski, stated that Tuesday’s hearing would focus on the union’s alleged “capture” of the state’s workplace health and safety regulator. This is part of an effort to advance the union’s industrial agenda.
Mr Ternovski highlighted that the inquiry would hear evidence this week about the union’s influence over the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). He pointed out that former CFMEU leader Jade Ingham was appointed to the QBCC board in 2018, and it appears that the commissioner himself, Brett Bassett, may have been influenced by the union.
This development adds another layer to the ongoing investigation into the CFMEU’s activities and potential conflicts of interest. As the inquiry continues, more details are expected to emerge about the extent of the union’s influence and its interactions with various regulatory bodies.
