Commission begins CFMEU hearings

The royal commission into trade unions has begun hearings in Canberra, where it's expected to hear claims of corrupt payments to the local CFMEU branch.

A construction union organiser was given $135,000 in order for a business to retain work on ACT building sites, a royal commission has been told.

The claim comes as three weeks of hearings begin in Canberra into the local branch of the CFMEU.

The first witness is due to reveal how he paid money to a lead organiser in 2012 to 2013, while a second is expected to explain giving $40,000 to the same organiser in 2014, counsel assisting Jeremy Stoljar said in his opening statement.