Arabic version: تحقيق في نقابة سي إف إم إي يو يستمع إلى ادعاء تهديد في جسر سنتيناري
According to ABC News, a commission of inquiry examining the CFMEU and construction sector has heard that three Melbourne men linked to the Comancheros bikie gang travelled to Brisbane before a construction worker was allegedly threatened at the Centenary Bridge upgrade site in 2024.
Flight and phone records tendered to the inquiry showed Bemir Saracevic, Krstomir Bjelogrlic and Mark Ahern arrived in Brisbane at about 11.20am on June 5, 2024. Senior Counsel Assisting Eddy Gisonda KC said the men then travelled to the project site, where crane operator Cody Raymond said he was confronted at about 12.30pm.
The inquiry heard Mr Saracevic, known as Benji, was a former national president of the Comancheros. Mr Bjelogrlic was described as his business partner and Mr Ahern as a former treasurer of the gang. Mr Gisonda said Gary Samuel, who ran security operator HOST at the site, had phone contact with BMD senior management and Mr Saracevic that morning. Commissioner Stuart Wood asked whether he should infer Mr Samuel collected the three men from Brisbane Airport and drove them to the site; Mr Gisonda replied yes.
In a workplace interview conducted eight days after the confrontation, Mr Raymond said a man in a black shirt questioned him about allegedly threatening an acquaintance, whom Mr Raymond identified as Mr Samuel. Mr Raymond said the man identified himself as “Benji, from the Commos” and allegedly threatened to burn down his house and kill his children.
BMD had hired HOST for site security after CFMEU campaigns disrupted work, the inquiry heard. BMD general manager Rob Pickard denied knowing about the alleged incident beforehand or being told the three men were travelling to Brisbane. CCTV placed him nearby shortly before the confrontation, but he denied knowing what would occur or hearing the alleged threats. The ABC said it was not alleging Mr Pickard had done anything wrong. The inquiry was due to continue in Brisbane the following day.
