Queensland’s Bold Move Exposes Alleged Gangland Ties in Labor Hire Firm, Putting Victorian Premier Allan Under Scrutiny
Updated March 4, 2026 — 3:46pm, first published 1:42pm
In a dramatic turn of events, a labor hire company accused of being a front for notorious gangland figure Mick Gatto has been thrust into the spotlight by a Queensland inquiry. This company, which has raked in millions from Victoria’s Big Build projects, now faces intense scrutiny over its operations on the Gold Coast. But here’s where it gets controversial: could this be the tip of the iceberg, signaling a repeat of Victoria’s alleged $15 billion misspent on infrastructure projects, just as Queensland gears up for the 2032 Olympics?**
The Queensland commission of inquiry into the CFMEU held an unprecedented press conference outside the Brisbane offices of M1 Traffic Control Queensland, raising alarms about its potential ties to Gatto. Commissioner Stuart Wood, KC, and senior counsel Patrick Wheelahan, KC, made a rare public appearance, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. While no formal findings have been made, the commission cited a report by corruption lawyer Geoffrey Watson, SC, which labeled M Group as a well-known front for Gatto and suggested similar links to the Queensland-based company.
And this is the part most people miss: Wheelahan clarified that the commission isn’t accusing Gatto of owning the company or engaging in misconduct. However, he expressed deep concern that Queensland could mirror Victoria’s Big Build debacle, where Watson estimated a staggering $15 billion was misspent. With Queensland poised to invest $130 billion in Olympic preparations, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “Queensland does not want to end up like Victoria,” Wheelahan warned, urging a thorough investigation.
This move shines a harsh light on Victorian authorities, who continue to allow M Group to operate despite damning allegations. The Victorian government claims it’s cleaned up the construction industry, yet M Group remains licensed in the state. Watson’s report, tabled last month, asserts Gatto’s ownership of several M Group companies and their preferential treatment by the CFMEU. Gatto denies these claims, but Watson dismisses his denials as “transparently false.”
Here’s the kicker: Queensland regulators licensed M1 Traffic Control as a labor hire operator, but that license is now under intense pressure. Meanwhile, Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority, despite recent legislative boosts, often lacks the power to act against companies with alleged organized crime links. Yet, it has revoked licenses for dozens of firms, including those tied to gangland figures.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan faced tough questions in parliament about M Group’s involvement in taxpayer-funded projects like the North East Link and Suburban Rail Loop. She deflected inquiries to project authorities and highlighted Victoria Police’s Taskforce Hawk, which made another arrest on Wednesday in its broader probe into industry corruption.
But the question remains: Is Victoria doing enough to root out corruption? The state’s Ombudsman recently criticized the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority for poor record-keeping, which hindered corruption investigations. Meanwhile, the Auditor General found the government failing to keep Victorians informed about infrastructure project performance.
As Queensland takes a stand, the pressure mounts on Allan and Victorian authorities to address these systemic issues. What do you think? Is Queensland’s move a necessary step to prevent history from repeating itself, or is it an overreach? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
