Lurid stories of an embattled union's leadership that had "departed from the norms of a civilised society" have been heard at a landmark inquiry.

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Queensland's CFMEU bosses came under fire at a sweeping probe in Brisbane on Tuesday, accused of revelling in being "feared by everybody".

Barrister Geoffrey Watson did not hold back as the first witness at the inquiry triggered by his damning report that alleged the state's CFMEU had a cycle of lawlessness and an utter contempt for the law.

In compelling and at times testy evidence, Mr Watson said t

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