Qld Labor seeks distance from CFMEU as probes, protests continue

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has vowed not to meet with CFMEU officials, or allow Labor to accept donations from the union, while the organisation is under a “cloud”.

After revelations in Brisbane Times and other Nine newspapers this week, Miles said party officials would also examine whether the CFMEU should remain affiliated with Queensland Labor.

His comments came as CFMEU members picketed Cross River Rail sites in Brisbane in a bid to pressure contractor CPB to sign a new enterprise bargaining agreement. The union has made demands around heat policies, the use of labour hire workers and subcontractors, rostered days off, and equity for traffic controllers.

CFMEU members protest at the Cross River Rail construction site in Roma Street.Credit: Cloe Read / Brisbane Times

Miles said the union had rights and obligations under federal industrial law and anyone with evidence of illegal acts should contact Queensland police.

“Workers in our state have a right to protest but they don’t have a right to bully or intimidate others,” he said.

While some union members on Tuesday held placards declaring picket lines should never be crossed, a CFMEU spokesman insisted access was not being blocked and the activity was lawful.

Miles said he had asked Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to ask his Victorian counterpart about any Queensland aspects of recent allegations and would not hesitate to open a case if warranted.

“I have spoken to the police commissioner and he has confirmed for me that there are no current, active complaints, allegations or investigations into similar matters, to those that have been raised in Victoria and New South Wales, here in Queensland,” Miles said on Tuesday.

“But obviously the allegations that have been made there are very concerning.”

Miles said recent CFMEU protests at Parliament House led him to meet with members over issues such as site facilities for female workers and heat policies. On the latter, he said he also met with the widow of a man “who had recently died after leaving an overheated construction site”.

His comments appeared to back the union’s claim the death was heat-related, something contractor CPB previously declined to comment on while the matter was being considered by workplace investigators and the coroner.

But Miles said he would not meet with the CFMEU until he could be assured it was not involved in any illegality or wrongdoing in the state.

With a state election in October, the Liberal National Party has repeatedly called on Miles to cut ties with the CFMEU and move to increase productivity, and reduce costs, on Queensland building sites.

Miles said he had urged any construction companies with concerns to contact the Fair Work Commission.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie suggested the CFMEU had chosen to picket Cross River Rail sites this week, while under national scrutiny, to demonstrate their “power and influence”.

“The only reason the CFMEU are doing blockades today is to show they are in charge of the Queensland government,” Bleijie said on Tuesday.

A LNP government would establish a state-based Productivity Commission if elected and make the construction sector a priority for reform.