在昆士兰布里斯班举行的建筑、林业、海事雇员工会(CFMEU)调查听证会上，资深律师Geoffrey Watson SC拒绝撤回其关于黑帮人物Mick Gatto控制M Group劳务派遣公司网络的指控[1]。Watson声称"所有证据都指向Gatto先生控制M Group公司"[1]，并称该公司使用包括Tony Paragalli和Michael Portia在内的"傀儡董事"来掩盖Gatto的参与[1]。然而，Gatto、Paragalli和Portia都强烈否认任何不当关系或前台安排[1]。
两名资深律师在法庭上的激烈对抗引发了调查员的干预[1]。Commissioner Stuart Wood KC要求他们保持专业态度[1]。Watson为自己依赖手写笔记而非录音证据的做法进行了辩护，解释称证人在被录音时会"闭口不言"[1]。维州政府官员包括前总理Jacinta Allen和律师长Sonya Kilkenny批评Watson的报告"鲁莽"且"缺乏证据"[1]。
在另一场质证中，律师Ruth O'Gorman KC质询了Watson所著2025年6月关于昆士兰州CFMEU暴力行为报告中的内容[2]。Watson承认报告中关于前CFMEU官员Michael Ravbar的信息可能有误，表示"我只记录了我认为正确的内容。如果我犯了错误，我道歉。我衷心道歉"[2]。在听证会上激烈对抗后，Watson曾表示"我不会再回来"，但在午餐后改口道歉，称"如果我被要求这样做，当然我会回来"[2]。Watson指出自己已在证人席上花费了6天时间，每次出庭都自掏腰包[2]。
Barrister Geoffrey Watson SC refused to withdraw allegations that organized crime figure Mick Gatto controls a network of labour hire companies during heated cross-examination at a Queensland inquiry into the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [1]. Watson stated that "all the evidence points to Mr Gatto controlling the M Group companies," which he alleged used individuals including Tony Paragalli and Michael Portia as "dummy directors" to conceal Gatto's involvement [1]. Gatto, Paragalli, and Portia have all strongly denied any improper relationship or front arrangement [1].
The confrontation between Watson and fellow senior counsel Simon Wilson KC prompted Commissioner Stuart Wood KC to intervene and call for professional conduct [1]. Watson's report, titled "Rotting from the Top," documented violence, intimidation, and corruption within the union as well as outlaw motorcycle gang infiltration [1]. Victorian government officials, including former Premier Jacinta Allen and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, have criticized Watson's report as "reckless" and "lacking evidence" [1].
During the inquiry, Watson defended his investigative methodology, noting that witnesses tend to "clam up" when being recorded, which is why he relied on handwritten notes rather than audio recordings [1]. When questioned about potentially inaccurate information in his report regarding former CFMEU official Michael Ravbar's remarks at a gathering, Watson acknowledged the possibility of error, stating "I only recorded what I thought was correct. If I've made a mistake, I apologise. I sincerely apologise" [2]. Following an outburst where he declared "I'm not coming back," Watson apologized after lunch and confirmed he would continue with proceedings if requested, noting he had already spent six days in the witness stand at his own expense [2].