The Queensland government, led by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, is pursuing a new construction code tied to a CFMEU inquiry, aiming to streamline projects and boost productivity, but unions warn it could clash with federal laws and threaten Olympic venue work.

Unions warn the draft code could add hurdles to government project applications and delay jointly funded Olympic builds, potentially conflicting with federal workplace laws.

Bleijie defends the reforms, saying the aim is to reform the industry and root out bullying and corruption, while insisting the changes do not erode workers’ rights.

Bleijie signals that site-specific agreements for Olympic venue works would involve multiple unions, and the government will consider CFMEU Commission of Inquiry recommendations to restore safety and productivity.

The CFMEU inquiry draft was expected to consult on the proposed code by July, but Bleijie’s office says there is no formal recommendation yet and that an outright ban on CFMEU-backed firms has been downplayed.

QCU general secretary Jacqueline King says the changes threaten workplace and safety regimes and warns federal authorities about legal clashes, firing off a letter to federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister about compatibility with the Fair Work Act.

King warns of potential constitutional and administrative-law challenges if the draft code conflicts with federal funding rules and workplace laws.

Industry responses are mixed: Civil Contractors Federation Queensland supports a framework and awaits details, while unions argue the draft would effectively exclude firms with CFMEU deals from major Olympic tenders.

The code would ban or restrict CFMEU-related benefits and require tendering firms to demonstrate productivity or cost savings if CFMEU agreements exist.

The dispute unfolds as the government advances workplace-law changes announced in April, balancing efficiency, federal compliance, and union dynamics in the high-stakes Olympic project arena.

Federally funded projects are a major factor, with the Commonwealth contributing billions toward venues as part of a joint deal, prompting unions to question how the draft code will affect those federally funded works.

Union leaders warn of a political fight over Bleijie’s approach, arguing it threatens Olympic preparations and ignites an ideological clash over workers’ rights.