More workplace inspectors to target unions

The construction industry watchdog is boosting the number of workplace inspectors to crack down on rogue union officials.

Australian Building and Construction Commission boss Stephen McBurney said Queensland worksites were particularly bad.

"There's a level of defiance in Queensland challenging us to devote more resources in Queensland than we are in any other state," he told The Courier-Mail on Monday.

Mr McBurney said the construction union had shown no contrition or remorse after being penalised in courts.

"That gives you a sense of the level of defiance and the extent of unlawful misconduct in industrial laws compared to other states," he said.

The ABCC's actions have led to $2.7 million worth of fines in Queensland since December 2016.

Last week, the ABCC defended spending almost $3.2 million of public money over three years in proceedings against unions, officials and workers.

In contrast the commission spent $164,336 on cases against employers and $117,076 on a proceeding involving both an employer and a union.

Mr McBurney said the legal costs were within the commission's budget.

But CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan launched a scathing attack on the ABCC for not prosecuting a single employer over sham contracting.

"The ABCC embodies the deep-seated corruption of public institutions and legal due process that this government has adopted as business as usual," he said.