Readers are advised this article contains references to mental health struggles and suicide.

A Queensland commission of inquiry investigating the state division of a prominent construction union has heard harrowing testimony detailing alleged campaigns of sustained intimidation, claims of undue political influence, and the profound personal toll on those targeted.

Former Master Builders Queensland CEO, Grant Galvin, who led the organisation from 2013 to 2022, offered a stark admission during his testimony this week: "I'm lucky I'm here today." Mr. Galvin recounted being pushed to breaking point by what he described as a years-long campaign of harassment from the union. He became emotional while recalling an incident where thousands of union members marched to his Brisbane workplace, placing a coffin in a tree directly outside his office window, which he interpreted as a direct "death threat." The relentless pressure, he revealed, culminated in a severe mental health crisis and an attempt to take his own life.

Top Bureaucrat Details 'Aggressive and Abusive' Tactics

The inquiry also heard from Neil Scales, the former top bureaucrat for the state's transport department, who now resides in the UK. Mr. Scales provided a written statement alleging he was routinely "abused" by the union due to his opposition to the former Labor government's controversial Building Industry Policy (BPIC), colloquially known as the "CFMEU tax."

Mr. Scales described the union's modus operandi as "aggressive and abusive," stating, "I cannot recall any meeting where union representatives engaged in a manner which was constructive or did not involve aggression or abuse of some type." He recounted former union leader Michael Ravbar often starting meetings with tirades against him and, on one occasion at the union's Brisbane headquarters, Ravbar and his deputy Jade Ingham allegedly acted aggressively, making statements such as "contractors are raping Queensland." Crucially, Mr. Scales claimed that staff from the Premier's and a minister's office, present at many of these meetings, never intervened on his behalf.

Allegations of Political Interference in Contract Termination

In a bombshell allegation, Mr. Scales told the inquiry he believed Michael Ravbar was behind the decision not to renew his contract as director-general in 2023, a decision he received with minimal notice. "Mr Ravbar would have sought to use his influence with the premier and her staff to ensure my contract was ended," Mr. Scales asserted. He stated he was never given a reason for his termination and still feels "bruised by it all, having given over a decade of service to the Queensland public service."

Public Servants 'Traumatised' by Union Protest

New police body-worn camera footage played during the hearings showed union members storming a state government building in August 2022. The footage captured members knocking over a security guard and occupying a conference room where Mr. Scales was due to attend an industry briefing. Public servants present during the protest were reportedly "traumatised" by the aggressive behaviour, with some filing workplace compensation claims. Mr. Scales recalled feeling "unsettled" as union members chanted "Neil Scales, I smell corruption" while searching room to room for him. He further alleged that when he raised the incident with then-minister Mark Bailey, the minister dismissed it as simply "unions being unions."

Warnings About BPIC Policy Allegedly Ignored

The inquiry also heard fresh allegations that former Labor ministers disregarded both departmental and industry warnings regarding the BPIC policy. This policy, which dictated wages and conditions on major state projects – including a month of rostered days off each year and double time in wet weather – allegedly led to significant cost blowouts on taxpayer-funded projects.

Deanne Hawkswood, a senior public servant from the Transport and Main Roads department, confirmed that bureaucrats were instructed not to consult with industry stakeholders during negotiations, but instead to meet regularly with the union. David Balmer, Acciona's regional director, labelled BPIC a "nonsensical" policy that drastically reduced productivity and "enormously" inflated construction costs. Mr. Balmer expressed his frustration at the difficulty in raising industry concerns with the government, lamenting, "We couldn't get into a minister's office to save ourselves."

The current government has declined to offer ongoing commentary on the inquiry, which is set to resume public hearings next month.