Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has dismissed concerns raised by the Queensland Council of Unions that a proposed construction code could delay Olympic builds and clash with federal laws, insisting reforms will improve productivity and end CFMEU misconduct.
The Queensland government remains committed to reforming the construction industry despite union warnings that a proposed new construction code could jeopardize timely delivery of Olympic infrastructure.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie vigorously rejected claims by Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) general secretary Jacqueline King that the code, stemming from the CFMEU inquiry, might conflict with federal legislation on jointly funded projects. Bleijie framed the reforms as necessary to eradicate bullying, intimidation, and corruption he associated with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU).
He emphasized that the new checks and balances would actually accelerate projects and keep them within budget, contrasting sharply with King's warning of potential delays. King had cautioned that the draft proposal - which includes additional hurdles for government tendering - could effectively ban firms with CFMEU agreements from Olympic venue work. Such a ban, she argued, would trigger jurisdictional friction with federal workplace laws, especially on co-funded Olympic sites, possibly causing costly legal disputes and construction hold-ups.
While the idea of an outright ban was floated in some media reports, Bleijie's office later sought to clarify that no final decision had been made, but the core intent to raise standards remained. Bleijie pushed back against suggestions he was seeking confrontation with unions, stating that revelations of CFMEU threats and misconduct proved the industry needed urgent correction. He cited examples from Victoria's construction sector as evidence of what could happen if lax oversight persisted.
The Premier also defended recent reviews of industrial relations, workplace health and safety, and WorkCover legislation, which unions criticized as potentially eroding workers' rights. Bleijie insisted these reviews were long overdue and aimed at modernizing regulations, not rolling back protections. The standoff highlights the tension between the government's push for industry reform and unions' concerns about operational feasibility and workers' interests as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics approach
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