Arabic version: تحقيق كوينزلاند بشأن اتحاد CFMEU يستمع إلى مزاعم مراقبة وتسميم كلاب

According to ABC News, Queensland’s Commission of Inquiry into CFMEU has heard allegations that the union engaged private detectives to conduct research into BMD executives during a long-running dispute connected to the Centenary Bridge upgrade project.

Grant Killen, managing director of private security business Concentric Concepts, told the inquiry BMD had engaged his company to provide security services to executives and the project. He said that on May 17, 2014, he found a tracking device underneath his vehicle after returning to his office from the project site. Mr Killen said he later noticed a white SUV following him while he drove with the device still attached.

Mr Killen also told the inquiry he saw drones near his home around the time his dog became ill and was taken to a vet. He said he formed the opinion that the dog may have been baited, and agreed when asked whether he suspected drones might have dropped baited meat. He said BMD executive Mick Power also had dogs poisoned after drones were seen near properties associated with the project.

Scott Power, BMD’s chief executive and Mick Power’s son, said he did not know who poisoned his father’s dog. He said the timing coincided with a CFMEU targeted campaign in streets around the home, while drones had not been seen there before or since. The inquiry was also shown evidence that the CFMEU had engaged former police detective Mick Featherstone as a private investigator. ABC News said it was not alleging Mr Featherstone was responsible for the tracking device, the alleged following of Mr Killen or the poisoning of his dog.

Mr Killen said he withdrew from the Centenary Bridge Upgrade project around the time of the alleged poisonings to protect his family and staff, while continuing to provide protection to BMD executives throughout 2024. The latest block of inquiry hearings is scheduled to run until Thursday before resuming in October.