Labor crisis deepens as stunning walk out over CFMEU rocks conference

Queensland Labor delegates have demanded an end to the administration of the CFMEU, prompting members to stage a stunning walk out at the party’s conference.

Queensland Labor delegates have demanded the CFMEU “return to democratic control as soon as possible” in a fiery motion that prompted the Right faction to stage a stunning walk out at the party’s 2025 conference.

Electrical Trades Union State Secretary Peter Ong put a motion to repeal legislation that enabled the takeover of the CFMEU as soon as the union is no longer in administration.

Right faction delegates walk out of the room as ETU state secretary Peter Ong prepares to speak against the CFMEU administration during the Queensland Labor's 60th State Conference held in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

It prompted dozens of Labor Right delegates to walk out of the room to jeers of “shame” from party colleagues.

Mr Ong labelled the Right “juveniles” and said the administration of the CFMEU set a dangerous precedent.

“Democratically elected officials were forced to resign or be removed and ruled ineligible persons for future union roles,” he said.

“The precedents granted by this administration can be weaponising against all unions and is something that all union leaders should be concerned about.

“If it was an LNP government who would put this legislation in place, every one of us would be marching in the streets.”

ETU state secretary Peter Ong during the Queensland Labor's 60th State Conference. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

A Labor Right source said the walk out was in solidarity with AWU members who had been subject to “targeted violence” at the hands of CFMEU officials for years.

“Labor Forum walked out during the motion regarding CFMEU administration in solidarity with the AWU, who have been facing targeted violence from some CFMEU officials for years,” they said.

Right faction delegates walk out of the room. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

“We shouldn’t even be talking about this - a Commission of Inquiry is under way and more details of violence are being revealed by the day.

“It is a stunning lapse of judgement by the Left to allow this motion to get to the conference floor when the behaviour of the CFMEU has been so far below community expectation for so long.”

A motion criticising Israel’s attack on Gaza and occupation of the West Bank also caused division.

Members support Palestine during the conference. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The SDA voted against the Left’s motion that was accompanied with placards reading “End the siege on Gaza”.

Originally published as Labor crisis deepens as stunning walk out over CFMEU rocks conference