Public servant tells Qld CFMEU inquiry union bosses 'stalked' her children

A former high-ranking Queensland public servant has testified before a commission of inquiry into alleged union misconduct, alleging that the Queensland CFMEU stalked her children. Amanda Yeates, the former deputy director-general of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, gave emotional testimony, describing a series of threatening comments made by ousted CFMEU deputy leader Jade Ingham about her children between March and May 2022.

Ingham allegedly knew the whereabouts and activities of Yeates' children, making comments that suggested he had been following their movements. Yeates' emotional testimony described the unsettling nature of these comments, which included Ingham remarking on his daughter's good performance in a netball game and correctly naming the street where her daughter caught the bus to school.

The incident prompted Yeates and her husband to change their daughter's school commute, arranging for an older sibling to drive her instead. Yeates stated that the union was aware of the new arrangement, as confirmed by a statement from an associate of Ingham's. Despite repeated incidents of intimidation, Yeates decided against making a police complaint due to a strong fear of retribution.

She resigned from the public service to protect her family and put an end to the alleged harassment. Counsel assisting the inquiry described the alleged conduct towards Yeates as "disturbing, creepy and inexcusable," emphasizing her innocence and unblemished public service record. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie acknowledged the allegations as "disturbing" and noted that Yeates had raised her concerns directly with former Minister Mark Bailey, who allegedly wanted her to maintain a good relationship with the CFMEU.

Yeates also detailed being subjected to routine degrading abuse by Ingham and former secretary Michael Ravbar, including being called "incompetent," "lazy," and "fat cats." When Yeates attempted to draw a line in the sand, Ingham allegedly responded by calling her a "c**t" four times. Yeates recalled that the hostile behavior began during her first meeting with Ravbar in 2020 at a meeting with then-Transport Minister Mark Bailey and his advisors.