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The Age
a day ago
- Politics
- The Age
Protests roll into second day after CFMEU High Court ruling
Construction workers have shut down inner-city streets on Friday as a snap protest over a high court decision continued for a second day. Police warned on Thursday night that traffic in the CBD and Fortitude Valley would be disrupted between 5am and 11.30am, and that Campbell Street in Bowen Hills — outside CFMEU offices — would probably be closed. CFMEU members walked off work sites in Brisbane this week to campaign against the decision to put the union into administration, following reports of violence, intimidation and corrupt conduct across the east coast, and a High Court ruling on Wednesday that upheld the legality of the move. 'We know the entire system is against us,' former CFMEU national president Jade Ingham told the rally at Bowen Hills on the first day of the protest. 'But ... they underestimate our resolve, they underestimate how prepared we are to take this fight on all the way until we win ... mark my words, we will win this fight.' Victorian barrister Mark Irving, the union's administrator since the ousting of Ingham, former Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar and other senior figures reportedly told members the action was unauthorised and they must return to work. 'I have advised staff and members that any action [on Thursday morning] is likely to be unlawful industrial action, and I have directed them to return to work,' Irving told The Courier-Mail. 'It is time for all members, delegates and staff to work together to return the union to membership control.'
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Protests roll into second day after CFMEU High Court ruling
Construction workers have shut down inner-city streets on Friday as a snap protest over a high court decision continued for a second day. Police warned on Thursday night that traffic in the CBD and Fortitude Valley would be disrupted between 5am and 11.30am, and that Campbell Street in Bowen Hills — outside CFMEU offices — would probably be closed. CFMEU members walked off work sites in Brisbane this week to campaign against the decision to put the union into administration, following reports of violence, intimidation and corrupt conduct across the east coast, and a High Court ruling on Wednesday that upheld the legality of the move. 'We know the entire system is against us,' former CFMEU national president Jade Ingham told the rally at Bowen Hills on the first day of the protest. 'But ... they underestimate our resolve, they underestimate how prepared we are to take this fight on all the way until we win ... mark my words, we will win this fight.' Victorian barrister Mark Irving, the union's administrator since the ousting of Ingham, former Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar and other senior figures reportedly told members the action was unauthorised and they must return to work. 'I have advised staff and members that any action [on Thursday morning] is likely to be unlawful industrial action, and I have directed them to return to work,' Irving told The Courier-Mail. 'It is time for all members, delegates and staff to work together to return the union to membership control.'
Herald Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Herald Sun
Administrator blasts CFMEU over potentially illegal protest across Brisbane CBD
CFMEU's wild Qld history Editor: Public hissy fit beyond a joke CFMEU administrator Mark Irving has ordered members involved in a protest that shut down Brisbane CBD this morning to 'return to work' amid fears it could last for days. Surprise CFMEU protests have sprung up across Brisbane city in response to the High Court's refusing to overturn the militant union's federal government takeover. Hundreds of union members are gathered at multiple sites, blocking intersections and causing major traffic delays. Mr Irving KC has since directed all members to halt the potentially illegal protest and return to work. 'The High Court decision is final,' he said. 'I have advised staff and members that any action this morning is likely to be unlawful industrial action, and I have directed them to return to work. 'I urge everyone to stay calm and focus on getting on with the job. It is time for all members, delegates and staff to work together to return the Union to membership control.' It is understood the CFMEU plans to strike for several days. The Courier-Mail has been told workers walked off the job across all building sites in the city including 360 Queen St, Waterfront Place at Eagle Street and the Performing Arts Centre. There is a clause in CFMEU enterprise agreements that allows members to partake in surprise strike action for two-hours without prior notice. However, under the current administration, Mr Irving would have needed to authorise this type of action. The protest activity is therefore unlawful and not protected under the Fair Work Act. Individual employees can now deduct a minimum of four hours of pay for each member who has participated in the strike. If unlawful strike action continues for days, consequences for members will be at the discretion of employers. Property Council of Australia executive director Jess Caire said Queensland could not afford extended unprotected strike action. 'Unprotected industrial action is leaving workers unpaid, bringing construction, including major projects and residential sites to a standstill, causing a massive loss of momentum and ultimately delaying getting roofs over Queenslanders' heads at a time we can least afford it,' she said. A CFMEU source has refuted claims that the protests were organised by ousted leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham. 'What those trying to link this to the removed leadership fail to grasp is that the CFMEU has always been a member-led union,' he said. 'That's the point missed by the ALP and the ACTU and exactly why the administration has been so fraught — you can't just remove or replace leaders and expect to seize control of the union and pretend to members that you can represent them.' He said members wanted to see the administration dismantled and the 21 sacked leaders, including Ravbar and Ingham, returned. 'The members are the union and right now, they're angry, they've had enough,' he said. 'Their elected representatives have now tried every proper channel to resolve this. 'Now the members are demanding their return and I suspect industry will now be picking up the tab for Labor's failed policy. But that's on them.' Mr Ingham told the crowd the High Court decision did not come as a surprise. 'We know that when we took that legal part of the campaign, it was always going to be an uphill battle,' he said. 'We decided it was a fight that we needed to have anyway…We've got to fight on all the fronts.' More than 200 CFMEU members were seen marching on Queen Street in the Brisbane city, while 500 protesters were in Bowen Hills. Major delays had also been reported across Fortitude Valley. Police had diverted traffic and confirmed Campbell Street, O'Connell Terrace and Hamilton Place were closed. Work on the state's largest infrastructure project Cross River Rail has been affected. CFMEU-aligned workers have walked off the job to join the mammoth protest. It comes after the former CFMEU boss Michael Ravbar lost a High Court appeal to overturn the forced administration of the militant union following an eight-month legal challenge. The decision was slammed by Mr Ravbar, but celebrated by the state government, with a statement saying the decision had validated pausing BPIC on state infrastructure projects. The protest against the administration has been orchestrated from the inside. Members are standing with Mr Ravbar. It is not yet clear how long the protest will last. Individual worksites will determine no pay conditions for the pop up strike. The administration became aware of the protests about 7am Thursday. Union members chanted 'stand up, fight back', 'we'll never be defeated' and 'Our union, fight back.' Queensland Police Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy said authorities were aware of the pop-up protests. 'The police will be in attendance and are in attendance here. It's about two things for us,' he said. 'It's about respecting everyone's right to protest, whether it's a pop up or a planned protest, and we'll facilitate that to occur safely, but it's also about keeping the community safe at the same time and minimising the disruption on them. 'And my message to people this morning, commuters, people moving around the Valley, is be aware that this is occurring, be aware that we're trying to minimise that disruption, but this morning, we're going to need a little bit of patience. 'We're going to have a bit of a few delays on the road.' Mr Ravbar has been contacted for comment. Originally published as Administrator blasts CFMEU over potentially illegal protest across Brisbane CBD Read related topics: CFMEU
9 News
2 days ago
- Politics
- 9 News
Hundreds of CFMEU members take to Brisbane streets after High Court ruling
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Iranian death toll tops 600 Hundreds of CFMEU members marched through Brisbane this morning in a last-minute protest against the forced administration of the union. It caught peak hour commuters off guard, with police forced to step in to quickly shut down roads so the action could take place safely. The group was protesting yesterday's High Court rejection of the CFMEU's attempt to appeal the union's forced administration. Hundreds of CFMEU members marched through Brisbane this morning in a last-minute protest against the forced administration of the union. (Brisbane Times) Members argued the Queensland branch never had any allegations made against it and shouldn't be included in the federal government takeover. The construction division's administrator Mark Irving told 9News the High Court decision is final. "I have advised staff and members that any action this morning is likely to be unlawful industrial action, and I have directed them to return to work," he said. "I urge everyone to stay calm and focus on getting on with the job. "It is time for all members, delegates and staff to work together to return the union to membership control." Today's protest was more than four hours long, as multiple speakers addressed the crowd. Union members are now threatening to walk off the job for 48 hours until administrators meet with the Queensland branch. Brisbane Union Unions queensland national CONTACT US
The Australian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Australian
High Court win paves way for CFMEU clean up
The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge to the federal government's takeover of the CFMEU's construction division, in a win for Labor and a major defeat for the union's sacked officials. In a unanimous decision, the court dismissed all the grounds for the challenge by the ousted CFMEU officials including that the administration legislation was unsupported by a head of commonwealth legislative power; infringed the implied freedom of political communication; and infringed the constitution. The decision clears the way for CFMEU administrator Mark Irving, KC, to take more decisive action to clean up the union. Mr Irving welcomed the court decision and what he called 'its rejection of the attack on the legitimacy of the administration'. 'The decision provides clarity and it paves the way for the greater systemic reforms necessary for the union and across the industry,' he said. 'Along with the CFMEU, employers, regulators and governments all have a role to play in rooting out malignant and violent actors from the construction sector.' Mr Irving had previously said the High Court challenge had frustrated his ability to get whistleblowers to come forward, as they feared ex-officials could be returned to power. 'The administration is committed to returning the union to the membership as a strong democratic, member-controlled Union, enduringly free of corruption and criminal influence as soon as possible,' he said on Wednesday. The construction division was forced into administration last year following damaging allegations about the union's links to organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs. Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth welcomed the High Court decision, reiterating that the government 'will not tolerate criminal behaviour, corruption or violence in the construction industry'. 'We need to focus on shifting the culture in the construction industry and ensure the bad actors we have seen infiltrating this sector are kept out,' Ms Rishworth said. Construction workers deserve a union free from criminality, corruption and violence. She said Mr Irving and his team could now move forward with confidence and continue their essential work in cleaning up the construction and general division. 'We are committed to the administrator remaining in place until the job is done, and we will continue to provide him and his team with all necessary support as they undertake their challenging and crucial task,' she said. Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn said the court decision 'clears the path for long-overdue cultural reform in the building and construction industry'. 'This ruling is a victory for every builder, subcontractor, apprentice, and business that has suffered under a culture of intimidation, coercion, and disregard for the rule of law,' she said 'The appointment of an independent administrator to the CFMEU is a crucial step in restoring integrity to the construction industry but it must not stop there. 'This is the opportunity to implement deep, structural reform to permanently rid the industry of criminality and corruption,' Ms Wawn said. She said Master Builders commended the government 'for its resolve in standing up for the rule of law and pushing through the administration legislation in the face of vocal opposition'. 'We acknowledge the leadership and political bravery of the Federal Government in pursuing this course of action,' she said. 'It takes courage to confront a culture as entrenched as the one exposed in our industry, and we commend the Government for not backing down. This decision sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and that reform in construction is not negotiable.' Civil Contractors Federation national chief executive Nicholas Proud said the court decision was a 'welcome relief for contractors, who can now focus on their core business without the looming threat of bullying and intimidation'. 'This decision reinforces the importance of upholding compliance and fairness within enterprise agreements, providing contractors with much-needed certainty and stability,' he said. 'For many in the industry, this outcome is a chance to move forward with confidence, free from the distractions of protracted legal disputes. The CCF will continue to work closely with members to ensure they are supported in leveraging this clarity to secure strong and equitable agreements that underpin long-term growth.' Nation Three Australians have been arrested over the slaying of Melbourne man Zivan Radmanovic — with details of how they allegedly tried to evade capture released. Nation Colin Mandy SC has questioned the timing of when Erin Patterson lied to her lunch guests about needing treatment for ovarian cancer, and has suggested the accused mushroom killer was 'genuinely worried about her health'.
