George Alex released on bail after death threat arrest

Building industry figure George Alex walked free from court today after posting $50,000 bail on charges of threatening to kill a woman.

His name was dragged into the Royal Commission into union corruption this week, with claims his labour hire companies paid weekly kickbacks to the CFMEU.

A former director said he saw criminal identities at Mr Alex's house including Khaled Sharrouf, the Australian jihadist whose young son was photographed holding a severed head in Syria.

He also described being bashed by Mr Alex's standover man, Joe Antoun, before he was shot dead.

Mr Alex was arrested at a five-star hotel yesterday accused of sending several text messages and emails over a 10-day period in August to a woman which warned her he would send his crew to get her and her family.

One message read: "your husband is lucky I haven't sent my men to your office to get my money”.

Mr Alex's lawyer argued the messages were erratic and he needed medical treatment.

Mr Alex will spend at least five days in psychiatric care, which puts his expected appearance at the Royal Commission in doubt.