CFMEU to protest leadership purge in Brisbane, Cairns rallies

The CFMEU will rally in Brisbane on Tuesday in a show of defiance after the militant construction union was plunged into administration and its leaders sacked.

CFMEU administrator Mark Irving will act in the best interests of members as they exercise a right to protest mass sackings of union heavyweights, the state government says.

The CFMEU will rally in Brisbane on Tuesday in a show of defiance after the militant construction union was plunged into administration and its leaders sacked.

About 280 union officials were terminated, including 21 in Queensland led by state secretary Michael Ravbar, following the appointment of Mark Irving as administrator.

Assistant state secretaries Jade Ingham and Kane Lowth were also turfed from the union’s Bowen Hills headquarters.

None are accused of wrongdoing.

There is now widespread anger against the federal and state government, with CFMEU protests planned across the nation – including Brisbane and Cairns – on Tuesday.

CFMEU marchers on Labour Day in Cairns

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace, who passed legislation last week to give Mr Irving control of the CFMEU’s Queensland branch, said it was entitled to rage against the sackings.

“I think that is something up to those people organising that event, obviously this is not a decision that’s been taken lightly,” she said.

“Obviously they want their voices heard and in a democracy they’re free to do that and that’s up to them.”

Ms Grace said the union’s ability to represent workers would be unaffected by Mr Irving’s appointment.

“He will obviously act in the best interests of the members of the CFMEU to ensure that their industrial guides, that their agreements, that their awards, are all in place so that those workers that go every single day to our job sites to all of those major projects that we’re delivering can do their job both safely and paid in accordance with their entitlements,” she said.

Originally published as CFMEU to protest leadership purge in Brisbane, Cairns rallies