Rebuilding CFMEU a ‘mistake’ while probe ongoing, inquiry told

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-04-28T05:55:55Z","datePublished":"2026-04-28T05:55:55Z","description":"The inquiry also heard from the contractor for a mammoth Brisbane project, who said union activity and Labor policy had cost it an estimated $830 million.","headline":"Rebuilding CFMEU a ‘mistake’ while probe ongoing, inquiry told","keywords":"Building Bad, CFMEU, Construction, Queensland government, Cross River Rail, CIMIC Group, ALP, Grace Grace","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Dennien","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"/by/matt-dennien-p4yvo3"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/rebuilding-cfmeu-a-mistake-while-probe-ongoing-inquiry-told-20260428-p5zrqh.html","@type":"WebPage"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"1322.6666666666665","url":"https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.1838%2C$multiply_0.7025%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_164%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_86%2Cf_auto/1bbf4e8296287534652f357e27c0f65dfe1179db","width":"744"},"isAccessibleForFree":false,"hasPart":[{"@type":"WebPageElement","isAccessibleForFree":false,"cssSelector":".paywall"}],"publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","name":"The Sydney Morning Herald","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"628","url":"https://www.smh.com.au/metro-assets/assets/static/smh.png","width":"1200"},"url":"https://www.smh.com.au"},"isPartOf":{"@type":["CreativeWork","Product"],"name":"The Sydney Morning Herald","productID":"smh.com.au:webonly"}}{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/national","name":"National"},"position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland","name":"Queensland"},"position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/topic/building-bad-6gug","name":"Building Bad"},"position":3}]}AdvertisementNationalQueenslandBuilding BadRebuilding CFMEU a ‘mistake’ while probe ongoing, inquiry toldMatt DennienApril 28, 2026 — 3:55pmSaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.ShareAAASenior staff for Queensland’s inquiry into the CFMEU have criticised departing federal government-appointed administrator Mark Irving’s suggestion that the union is moving to a new “rebuilding” phase.The comments came as the inquiry heard more detail on Tuesday about the union’s efforts to influence Brisbane’s $9.8 billion Cross River Rail project, with the contractor estimating the impact at $830 million.After this masthead broke news of his departure on Monday, Irving said in a statement that he would hand over to respected union boss Michael Crosby – most recently overseeing a clean-out of the NSW branch – for this work.Senior counsel assisting the inquiry Edward Gisonda SC.AAPIMAGEGiving brief opening remarks in Tuesday’s hearing, senior counsel assisting, Edward Gisonda SC, said work to investigate past wrongdoing in Queensland was “nowhere near complete”.Advertisement“It is a mistake, in my submission, to think that proper rebuilding can occur without the full understanding that only a commission of inquiry can deliver,” Gisonda said.Related ArticleExclusiveBuilding BadCFMEU rocked: Administrator resigns, real reason for deputy’s departure revealed“We hope that Mr Irving’s replacement – Mr Crosby in the immediate term, and either Mr Crosby or someone else in the longer term – understands…

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