Cross River Rail manager accused of withholding evidence on union brawl

Why This Matters

• The inquiry is examining how a picket line on a major state infrastructure project escalated into a brawl that spilled onto a public road and required a police escort.
• The accusation that a senior project figure withheld evidence raises questions about how fully those in charge of the site cooperated with the commission.
• Cross River Rail is one of Queensland's biggest transport projects, and the CFMEU's campaign against contractor CPB is central to the inquiry's work.

Background

Cross River Rail is Brisbane's major underground rail project, and Dutton Park is one of its stations. The commission of inquiry into the CFMEU and misconduct in the construction industry is examining union conduct on Queensland worksites. The May 2024 Dutton Park incident came during an escalating union campaign against CPB and followed a picket line formed by members who had walked off the site.

Key Perspectives

Inquiry head Stuart Wood: Accused the former site manager of "deliberately withholding evidence" and has sought the cooperation of the 15 masked and unmasked men photographed at the protest so that all perspectives are heard. Former site manager Patrick O'Brien: Did not provide a statement and was questioned about contemporaneous WhatsApp logs that show he was warned ahead of the incident that "it will kick off if they try" if workers attempted to pass the picket line. Critics and sceptics: Questions remain about whether other senior figures on the project have disclosed everything they knew, and whether the inquiry can fully establish responsibility for the brawl more than two years after it occurred.

What to Watch

• Whether further witnesses corroborate or challenge O'Brien's account of the lead-up to May 1, 2024.
• Whether the inquiry secures statements from the 15 men whose images were released in April.
• The commissioner's findings on the brawl and on the allegation that evidence was withheld.