Leave to appear

Leave to appear means the Commission has given permission for a person or organisation to take part in a public hearing — for example, to ask questions of witnesses or make submissions.

Attending hearings

You do not need leave to appear if you only wish to attend or observe a public hearing. All hearings are open to the public unless otherwise stated.

Who can apply

Leave to appear may be granted to a person or organisation who:

  • has a direct or special interest in the subject matter of the Inquiry;
  • may be the subject of an adverse finding; or
  • can assist the Commission on specific issues being examined.

For full details on how leave to appear is determined, read Practice Guideline No. 3 – Leave to Appear at Public Hearings (PDF, 78.1 KB)

How to apply

Complete the Application for Leave to Appear at the Public Hearings form (DOCX, 541.1 KB).

  1. Attach a short submission (maximum two pages) explaining why you are seeking leave.
  2. Lodge by email to legal@cfmeuinquiry.qld.gov.au.

Please apply as early as possible, and at least 7 days before the hearing where you wish to appear.

Parties granted leave to appear

Last updated: 30 January 2026

The following parties have so far been granted leave to appear before the Commission:

PartyCounselSolicitors

Mark Irving KC

Chris O’Grady KC

Amelia Hughes

Felicity Fox

Brad Annson

Gordon Legal

State of Queensland (Departments of Public Works and Housing; Transport and Main Road; State Development, Infrastructure and Planning; Premier and Cabinet; Treasury; Education; Health).

David de Jersey KC

Matthew Hickey KC

Douglas Wilson

Megan Brooks

Helen Freemantle

Natalie Keys

Thomas Geraghty

Crown Law

Meredith Bennett

Erin Smith

Laura Portbury

Gabrielle Forbes

Tamara Lutvey

Ashurst

Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia; The Electrical Trades Union of Employees Queensland; Plumbers & Gasfitters Employees’ Union Queensland, Union of Employees

Hamish Clift

Susanna Connolly

Luke Tiley

Alexandra Jarrett

Hall Payne Lawyers

Michael Ravbar

Ruth O’Gorman KC

Charles Massy

Tracey Davies

Davies Lawyers

William Lowth

Ruth O’Gorman KC

Charles Massy

Tracey Davies

Davies Lawyers

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority

Damien O’Brien KC

Eleanor Dickens

Tim Jones

Ian Bloemendal

Sam Weston

Ryan Cable

Clayton Utz

Jade Ingham

Colin Mandy SC

Emily O’Brien

Tony Kimmins

Mark Williams

Shantelle Wallace

Potts Lawyers

Queensland Council of UnionsKathryn McMillan KC

Patrick Turner

Maurice Blackburn

Australian Workers’ Union;
Australian Workers Union of
Employees, Queensland
Stacey Schinnerl		Troy Spence

Sam Sciacca

Optimum Legal

The following parties have so far received limited or conditional grants of leave to appear before the Commission:

PartyCounselSolicitors
BMD GroupChristopher Murdoch KC
Emily Cooper		Damian Hegarty
McCabes

Last updated: February 2026