Cairns Safety Officers Allege Brisbane Superiors Prioritized CFMEU Demands Over Critical Risks
The Commission of Inquiry into the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has heard testimony from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) officers in Cairns alleging systemic misconduct. Karim De Ridder, an acting team leader, testified that Brisbane-based superiors pressured local inspectors to prioritize minor union complaints over life-threatening safety hazards, such as asbestos exposure and gas incidents. De Ridder described facing intimidation from a CFMEU 'hit squad' and aggressive behavior from delegates who used verbal abuse when their demands, such as installing an unnecessary first-aid room, were not met. He recounted a heated phone call with WHSQ director Peter Twigg, who allegedly urged him to issue compliance notices to satisfy the union despite lacking regulatory justification. De Ridder stated that this internal pressure forced him to act against his professional ethics, diverting resources from high-risk investigations to appease the union. The testimony highlights a culture where union interests reportedly superseded public safety obligations, with local officers feeling bullied by both external union officials and internal management based in Brisbane.
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Cairns Safety Officers Allege Brisbane Superiors Prioritized CFMEU Demands Over Critical Risks
The Commission of Inquiry into the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has heard testimony from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) officers in Cairns alleging systemic misconduct. Karim De Ridder, an acting team leader, testified that Brisbane-based superiors pressured local inspectors to prioritize minor union complaints over life-threatening safety hazards, such as asbestos exposure and gas incidents. De Ridder described facing intimidation from a CFMEU 'hit squad' and aggressive behavior from delegates who used verbal abuse when their demands, such as installing an unnecessary first-aid room, were not met. He recounted a heated phone call with WHSQ director Peter Twigg, who allegedly urged him to issue compliance notices to satisfy the union despite lacking regulatory justification. De Ridder stated that this internal pressure forced him to act against his professional ethics, diverting resources from high-risk investigations to appease the union. The testimony highlights a culture where union interests reportedly superseded public safety obligations, with local officers feeling bullied by both external union officials and internal management based in Brisbane.
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