Former Department Chief Alleges Union Interference in Queensland Safety Reforms

A former Queensland department chief has testified that the CFMEU attempted to sabotage an overhaul of workplace safety reforms, describing the union's interference as "completely off the scale". Michael De'Ath, who served as director-general of the Department of Education, Industrial Relations and Racing between 2021 and 2024, provided the evidence during hearings by the commission of inquiry into the Queensland branch of the union.

The ongoing inquiry is re-examining allegations that the union captured Workplace Health and Safety Queensland under the former Labor government to advance its industrial agenda. Proceedings have previously characterised this alleged dynamic as a form of institutional corruption. Counsel assisting Dimitri Ternovski stated that a primary focus of the current hearings is determining the extent of the union's alleged influence within the upper ranks of government.

During the proceedings, Mr De'Ath faced questioning regarding claims that the CFMEU maintained a direct line to senior bureaucrats and ministers, thereby bypassing standard workplace safety reporting procedures. Central to the inquiry's examination was earlier testimony from former Office of Industrial Relations deputy director-general Kym Bancroft, who previously detailed her efforts to dismantle the union's direct hotline to the regulator.

Ms Bancroft stated that she attempted to implement a centralised triage system to direct safety concerns through a dedicated hotline number instead of bypassing normal channels through government officials. According to the inquiry, the CFMEU fiercely resisted this overhaul and insisted on continuing direct contact.

The inquiry was told that the direct arrangement created safety risks by introducing an unnecessary layer to the complaints process, particularly given that the former deputy director-general was not available around the clock. The current block of hearings is scheduled to run until Thursday, with two additional blocks planned before the conclusion of the year.