Royal commission hears John Holland staff and WorkSafe inspector on 2022 Gap Road work stoppage

The Big Build royal commission entered its third day, hearing evidence about the Sunbury Gap Road level crossing removal project. Former CFMEU organiser Paul Tzimas became the first union official to give testimony, after witnesses described the union’s involvement in the 2022 work stoppage.

WorkSafe inspector Quinton Drury recounted incidents where union officials confronted him on construction sites, including an episode at the Westgate Tunnel project where officials recorded his inspection and displayed aggression. Drury was questioned about the regulator’s handling of safety complaints raised by union members.

John Holland staff testified that CFMEU representatives halted work at the Gap Road site by occupying barriers and instructing staff to stop, citing safety concerns. Counsel assisting Amber Harris asked whether the union officials, who were not health and safety representatives, had legal authority to stop work.

John Holland manager Joe Aygur told the commission that a view within government suggested the company needed to reach a deal with the CFMEU to secure future contracts, attributing the perspective to “the minister’s office.”

Counsel assisting Chris Young KC reminded the audience that witnesses were compelled to attend and that providing evidence was difficult for many of them.

The commission indicated that the two-week hearing block will continue to focus exclusively on the Gap Road project and the events of June 2022, when the CFMEU is alleged to have asserted influence over the $109 billion Big Build program.