A state-level inquiry into alleged misconduct within a major construction union has heard harrowing testimony from a former peak industry body chief, who detailed a campaign of intimidation that he claims led him to attempt to take his own life.

Grant Galvin, who served as the chief executive of Master Builders Queensland (MBQ) between 2013 and 2022, provided emotional evidence during the ongoing probe into the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) Queensland division. He stated he became a direct “target” of the union while sitting on the board of the Building Unions Superannuation Scheme Queensland (BUSSQ).

Coffin Incident and Profound Psychological Toll

Mr. Galvin recounted a particularly distressing incident during a CFMEU-organised rally in 2022 outside MBQ’s Brisbane headquarters in Spring Hill. The protest was aimed at a proposed merger between BUSSQ and the larger CBUS industry fund. He described a scene where riot police were deployed due to what he perceived as a “significantly heightened” security risk. During this rally, CFMEU members reportedly hoisted a coffin into a tree outside his office, an act Mr. Galvin interpreted as a direct “death threat.”

In deeply personal testimony, Mr. Galvin revealed the profound psychological impact of this event, likening the insidious nature of the intimidation to “boiling a frog” – a gradual process where the victim doesn’t fully grasp the harm until it’s too late. “You don’t actually realise the impact until it happens,” he told the inquiry. He candidly admitted to experiencing a mental breakdown and attempting to take his own life shortly after the incident. “I’m lucky I’m here today,” he stated, highlighting the severity of his ordeal. He subsequently resigned from his role as MBQ chief executive shortly following the rally.

The inquiry itself was triggered by a damning report from legal expert Geoffrey Watson SC, which brought to light serious allegations of a pervasive culture of violence, intimidation, misogyny, and bullying within the CFMEU’s Queensland branch.

Previous Incidents and Allegations of Vandalism

Mr. Galvin also detailed a separate incident in 2017 following a meeting at the union’s Bowen Hills headquarters. He recalled returning to his car to find it covered in pro-union snake stickers, emblazoned with the slogan “strike if provoked.” He told the inquiry that he witnessed former CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar and his deputy, Jade Ingham, laughing at the scene.

“It was just a joke to them but as far I’m concerned, it’s vandalism, it’s intimidation, it’s bullying and if it was at any other worksite or at a school … the police would be called,” Mr. Galvin asserted. He further stated that while he has worked with numerous unions throughout his career, he had “never come across anything like the CFMEU and the levels that they would go through to intimidate to get what they wanted.”

During cross-examination, legal representatives for Mr. Ravbar, led by Ruth O’Gorman, suggested that her client did not orchestrate the sticker incident and had later apologised to Mr. Galvin. However, Mr. Galvin vehemently denied this, stating, “That is impossible. I have never heard Mr. Ravbar apologise in 10 years.”

Allegations Against Former Labor Minister Emerge

In a related development, lawyers representing former Labor minister Grace Grace have also made their first appearance at the inquiry. Ms. Grace has come under scrutiny during the proceedings, with claims surfacing that she allegedly threatened contractors on a significant project, warning them that she would terminate their contracts if they did not engage with the CFMEU.