Overview
- Commissioner Stuart Wood KC released an early interim report on Wednesday after more than 50 days of hearings and evidence from over 80 witnesses, saying there is an "urgent and pressing" need for reform.
- The inquiry found "extensive and, at times, highly disturbing" evidence of misconduct by the CFMEU and identified patterns that experts linked to corruption-like behaviour.
- Wood concluded the Best Practice Industry Conditions policy, introduced in 2018, conservatively raised costs by about 20 percent on Cross River Rail, the Centenary Bridge upgrade and the Gold Coast Light Rail, shifting higher bills to taxpayers.
- Key recommendations include a statewide construction code, a well-resourced regulator and using procurement power—including exclusion from government-funded work—to enforce compliance across the $119 billion pipeline.
- The Crisafulli government had not yet issued a formal response when the interim report was published and the inquiry will continue toward a final report due in December 2027 while political leaders and industry groups weigh next steps.