Updated June 9, 2026 — 12:40pm,first published 11:02amQueensland’s powerful inquiry into the CFMEU will this week hear its first evidence of the union’s capture of the state building and construction commission, senior staff say, and detail of a “frightening interaction” involving one union figure.Dimitri Ternovski, counsel assisting the inquiry, told the hearing on Tuesday morning former Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) boss Brad Bassett directed staff to target specific contractors in response to union complaints.The inquiry into the union and misconduct in the construction sector will also continue its exploration of the alleged “capture” of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, with more evidence around the actions of a key figure previously described as a “friend of the CFMEU”.Commissioner Stuart Wood during a hearing of Queensland’s CFMEU inquiry – now extended until December.News Corp Australia“Not only was [ousted former leadership figure Jade] Ingham appointed to the QBCC board in 2018, but it appears the commissioner himself was captured,” Ternovski said.“There’s a direct interaction between the capture of the WHSQ and the apparent capture of QBCC, and this is because the CFMEU and Mr Ingham ought to rely on the informed notice issued to WHSQ to then get QBCC to take licensing action against contractors.“Thus, the CFMEU first used its capture of WHSQ to direct inspectors to attend sites of particular contractors it was targeting, and then issue enforcement notices, and then the CFMEU sought to use these very notices, coupled with its influence over the QBCC, to get QBCC to take licensing action against the same contractor, so it was a double whammy.”The inquiry will this week hear evidence from Office of Industrial Relations executive Andrea Fox, former QBCC licensing manager Graham Easterby, and the former deputy director-general overseeing OIR, Kym Bancroft.At times appearing to hold back tears during her evidence, Fox detailed what she described as a “frightening interaction” with ousted CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar on January 30, 2018.The visit to the union’s Bowen Hills office by Fox and OIR colleagues, described in Geoffrey Watson SC’s “Violence in the Queensland CFMEU” report, ultimately resulted in Fox being separated from the group and berated by Ravbar in another room with union president Royce Kupsch also present.Fox said Ravbar, without addressing her by name or giving a reason for his actions, told her words to the effect the union had been watching her, that people like her disgusted him, and she would not be allowed to enter any CFMEU building or site.Andrea Fox appearing before the inquiry on Tuesday.Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction IndustryFox had never previously met Ravbar, whose behaviour in the room left her feeling like he might “lose control of his temper and punch me or something”, she told the inquiry, focusing on his movements for any brief opportunity to react.After Ravbar eventually went quiet, Fox left the room and Kupsch escorted her back to her colleagues with no mention of what had happened. Fox’s group then left. She told superiors about the incident and felt supported by them, deciding not to file a formal complaint.Fox said nobody was able to ascertain why Ravbar had acted in this way towards her, and it was suggested she just put it behind her because “he’s just crazy”, the inquiry heard.Fox began to warn new female executives not to meet with Ravbar alone.The Crisafulli government launched the $19.7 million probe last year after reporting by this masthead and 60 Minutes into criminality, corruption and misconduct in the union and construction sector nationwide.Starting last July, its initial one-year timeline for a final report has been extended until December 2027.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.From our partners