Ex-CFMEU administrator defends keeping controversial ‘Youth Crew’

The CFMEU’s former administrator has defended keeping the union’s controversial Youth Crew operational, saying it could be used as an instrument for reform within the organisation.

Testifying at the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry on Wednesday, former union administrator Mark Irving, KC, said he knew “extremely little” about the Youth Crew.

But Irving conceded he had considered disbanding the group, of which ousted CFMEU official Jade Ingham – who has been accused of being responsible for a culture of violence and sexism in the union – was influential.

The inquiry has previously heard the Youth Crew described as the CFMEU’s “hit squad” .

“A question arose in my mind at the time, around the time I received the [ Geoffrey Watson-authored ] report, is shouldn’t we just wind this thing up?” Irving said on Wednesday.

“Or should we repurpose it and use it as a vehicle for change within the organisation?

“For if it is the case that the CFMEU is going to, when it comes out of administration, adopt and inculcate and embrace a certain set of values, it is necessary that the future leaders receive training and understanding and guidance in that.

“And so, when I said while I had calls to consider whether or not the Youth Crew should be disbanded, I considered the Youth Crew can – like other parts of the union – be used as an instrument for change.”

Irving said the Youth Crew should be seen as an opportunity to instil a culture within young activists within the union – “the next generation of leaders” – respecting the values that should be the foundation of “ethically based principled unionism”.

Asked by commissioner Stuart Wood whether Ingham would retain influence in a repurposed Youth Crew, Irving said “absolutely not”.

“There is no prospect that he would be anywhere near any of this,” he said.

“The role of Ingham and [ousted Queensland branch secretary Michael] Ravbar in the continuing affairs of the CFMEU – formal and informal – it’s the role of Martin Luther in the Catholic Church after those theses were put up – he was a member, he ain’t no longer a member.”

Wood: “Martin Luther was pretty influential after he ceased to be a member.”

That drew a laugh from Irving: “That’s true. He went off and did other things. Maybe that’s an inapt analogy.”