CFMEU tried to 'sabotage' Qld safety complaints overhaul, inquiry told

A former Queensland department chief has accused the CFMEU of sabotaging a workplace safety complaints overhaul, 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 under former senior Labor minister Grace Grace between 2021 and 2024, has given evidence at the commission of inquiry into the Queensland branch of the CFMEU.

The probe into alleged misconduct is re-examining allegations the union "captured" Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) under the former Labor government to advance its industrial agenda — a practice previously described during proceedings as a form of "institutional corruption".

Counsel assisting Dimitri Ternovski said a key focus of this week's hearings would be establishing how far the union's alleged influence extended into the upper ranks of government.

Mr De'Ath has been grilled over claims the CFMEU had a direct line to senior bureaucrats and ministers, bypassing normal workplace safety reporting procedures.

Central to the questioning was evidence from former Office of Industrial Relations [OIR] deputy director-general Kym Bancroft in June, who detailed her efforts to shut down the union's so-called "hotline" to the regulator.

Ms Bancroft told the inquiry she sought to introduce a centralised triage system, directing safety concerns through a dedicated hotline number instead of government officials.

'Most extreme obfuscation'

Ms Bancroft said the CFMEU fiercely resisted the overhaul, insisting it would continue contacting her directly.

The arrangement posed safety risks by adding an unnecessary layer to the complaints process with Ms Bancroft unavailable around the clock, the inquiry heard.

Mr De'Ath described the union's opposition as "incredibly frustrating", accusing it of intentionally trying to derail the reforms.

"[It was] quite a deliberate attempt to sabotage a process that they clearly did not want."

"I've worked in multiple jurisdictions with multiple stakeholders over multiple portfolios, if you had it on a scale of 1 to 9, the worst I would've encountered might've been a three — this is a nine," he said.

Former bureaucrat's sacking under scrutiny

Ms Bancroft also claimed she was sacked by Mr De'Ath in 2023 during which he allegedly told her that "a union group" was not "happy" with her.

On Tuesday, Mr De'Ath took sole responsibility for her termination, citing a breakdown in trust and confidence and concerns about her competence and honesty.

"The decision to dismiss her was your decision alone and no one else's … you stand by that?" Mr Ternovski asked.

"Ultimately, that decision is mine," Mr De'Ath replied.

Mr De'Ath was also asked about the redeployment of ex-WHSQ compliance director Helen Burgess who was considered a key link between the union and regulator.

His repeated inability to recall details surrounding the move sparked a tense exchange with Commissioner Stuart Wood KC, who questioned his account, saying it seemed "very unlikely to be true".