Refusal to work with CFMEU cost contractor major work, inquiry told
A former CFMEU leader told a contractor its bid for a hospital project failed because it did not work with the union, a Queensland inquiry has heard. CPB, the contractor, faced difficulties in securing public works despite meeting prequalification requirements. The inquiry examined whether union relations and government policies influenced project allocations.
- ▪Then-CFMEU leader Jade Ingham told CPB general manager Vince Sanfilippo the firm lost a hospital project bid because it did not work with the union.
- ▪CPB was required to submit unredacted board minutes as part of a prequalification process for government-funded projects.
- ▪The Department of Energy and Public Works implemented new rules in September 2022 requiring contractors to comply with Labor’s 'best practice principles' to bid on public projects.
- ▪Sanfilippo testified that after initially being ignored, the department’s tone changed when CPB followed up on its prequalification status.
- ▪Other companies were approved for prequalification while CPB’s application faced delays and additional scrutiny.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.