Inquiry Unveils Alleged Coordination
The Queensland Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU has received explosive evidence regarding an alleged plot to intimidate a construction worker at the Centenary Bridge project. Senior Counsel Assisting the inquiry, Eddy Gisonda KC, presented flight and phone records detailing how three men linked to the Comancheros motorcycle gang traveled from Melbourne to Brisbane on June 5, 2024, specifically to confront a union delegate.
The evidence centers on Gary Samuel, who operated the security firm HOST, which was contracted by construction giant BMD to manage site security amid ongoing industrial tensions. Phone data suggests that on the morning of the incident, Mr. Samuel was in constant communication with senior BMD management and the three men identified as Bemir Saracevic, Krstomir Bjelogrlic, and Mark Ahern. Mr. Saracevic is the former president of the Melbourne chapter of the Comancheros, while Mr. Ahern is a former gang treasurer.
The Confrontation at Centenary Bridge
Cody Raymond, a CFMEU crane operator and union delegate, was working on the site when the incident occurred. In a workplace interview tendered to the commission, Mr. Raymond described being accosted by a group of four men. He alleged that the man in a black shirt, later identified as Mr. Saracevic, threatened to “burn your house down” and “kill your kids,” while explicitly claiming to represent BMD’s security interests.
CCTV footage presented to the commission placed BMD General Manager Rob Pickard in the vicinity of the encounter. Evidence suggests that Mr. Pickard and another manager walked ahead of the group of men shortly before the confrontation took place. Under questioning, Mr. Pickard denied any prior knowledge of the bikies’ arrival or the nature of the confrontation, asserting that he only became aware of the threats after Mr. Raymond reported them post-incident.
Stakes and Corporate Accountability
The inquiry is examining the broader implications of these events, particularly how major government-funded infrastructure projects interact with organized crime elements. BMD, which is involved in significant projects including the Eastern Freeway Upgrade in Victoria and preliminary works for the Brisbane Stadium, faces mounting pressure to address these allegations. The testimony suggests a potential intersection between corporate security strategy and underworld intimidation, raising questions about the degree of oversight management exercised over their subcontractors.
The commission continues to scrutinize whether BMD executives were willfully blind to the activities of their security provider or if the coordination was more direct. As the inquiry progresses, the revelations are expected to inform potential future actions by the Victorian government, which has been warned about the influence of factions within the construction sector.