Overview
- Public hearings have begun in Brisbane, with Geoffrey Watson as the first witness and an adjournment bid over access to his source material dismissed by Commissioner Stuart Wood.
- Watson described a “cycle of lawlessness” fostered by former leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham, said he interviewed about 55–60 people, and reported widespread fear and non‑cooperation.
- He testified the Queensland branch sought to emulate John Setka’s Victorian model to force the AWU off civil works, calling the fallout economically significant, and noted Setka was charged last week with using a carriage service to menace administrator Mark Irving.
- The inquiry heard details of alleged confrontations at Centenary Bridge and Cross River Rail sites, tactics such as car rocking and tyre deflation, and references to a “Youth Crew” described by outsiders as a hit squad; Watson also raised claims that officials were driven to his interviews by Ingham or Anthony Perrett.
- A newly released private report from Watson to administrator Mark Irving recommends immediate expulsion of 11 organisers and delegates and the termination of memberships for Ravbar, Ingham and others, citing safety risks.