A high-ranking former Queensland public servant has broken down while describing how the CFMEU allegedly “stalked” her children, as part of a “creepy” and “disturbing” intimidation campaign.
Amanda Yeates, the former deputy director-general of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, has given evidence at Queensland’s commission of inquiry into alleged union misconduct.
Ms Yeates became emotional as she detailed a series of “frightening” comments made by ousted CFMEU deputy leader Jade Ingham about her children between March and May 2022, which suggested he knew where they were and what they had been doing.
A senior TMR official appeared at the Queensland CFMEU inquiry today. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
She told the hearing on one occasion, Mr Ingham remarked “out of the blue” that one of her children had played a “really good game of netball” that day.
“He called my child by name,” she said.Loading…
On another, Ms Yeates said he allegedly told her: “I saw your daughter catching the bus on XYZ street.”
“He correctly named the street near where my family resides and from where my daughter caught the bus to school,” Ms Yeates said.
Ms Yeates said she was “shocked” and “deeply unsettled” by the remarks.
Former CFMEU administrator Mark Irving returns to inquiry
“I did not have a personal relationship with Mr Ingham and I do not know how he would know about my children’s activities or locations,” she said.
The comments prompted Ms Yeates and her husband to change how their daughter travelled to school, arranging for an older sibling to drive her instead.
Ms Yeates said the union knew about the new arrangement, telling the inquiry that an associate of Mr Ingham later remarked that her child was “now getting a lift to school”.
She said in another incident, a different associate of Mr Ingham’s made an unsolicited comment about the high prevalence of accidents involving P-platers.
“My daughter was a P-plater at the time,” she said.
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Ms Yeates said she decided against making a police complaint because of a “strong fear of retribution”.
She told the inquiry she felt like she was being “stalked” by the CFMEU.
“I believe that they were following my family,” Ms Yeates said.
“How could you look at it any other way?” Commissioner Stuart Wood KC remarked.
Ms Yeates said she resigned from the public service, believing it was the only way to protect her family and make the alleged intimidation stop.
Senior Counsel Assisting Eddy Gisonda KC said Ms Yeates was an “entirely innocent victim”. (Supplied)
Counsel assisting the inquiry Eddy Gisonda KC described the alleged conduct towards Ms Yeates as “disturbing, creepy and inexcusable”, calling her an “entirely innocent victim”.
“She was a model public servant acting without fear or favour with an unblemished record,” Mr Gisonda said.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has told parliament Ms Yeates’ allegations are “disturbing”.
“Amanda Yeates has given testimony that she raised these issues directly with former minister Mark Bailey at the time,” Mr Bleijie said.
“She said … no action was taken. She also said … he [Minister Bailey] wanted me to keep the CFMEU happy.”
‘That’s how I’ll treat you’
Ms Yeates also described being subjected to routine degrading abuse by Mr Ingham and former secretary Michael Ravbar, claiming they called her “incompetent” and “lazy” and referred to her and a female colleague as “fat cats”.
At one meeting, Ms Yeates said she tried to draw a line in the sand, telling the union bosses she would not tolerate being sworn at.
She said the pair responded by branding her a “c**t” four times.
When she objected, Mr Ingham allegedly told her: “If you’re going to act like a c**t, that’s how I’ll treat you.”
Ms Yeates said the hostility began from her first encounter with Michael Ravbar in 2020. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)
Ms Yeates said the hostility began from her first encounter with Mr Ravbar in 2020 at a meeting with then-transport minister Mark Bailey and some of his advisors.
“Mr Ravbar, at a point after he sat down, turned to me and said: ‘You’re a woman, get me a glass of water,'” Ms Yeates said.
“I haven’t had that behaviour since the 1980s so I guess I was a bit shocked.”
She said Mr Ravbar also directed his abuse towards Mr Bailey, allegedly telling him: “You are a f**king s**t minister.”