Queensland held to ransom by Greenies on Adani and the CFMEU on the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games site

SELDOM has such a clear-cut abuse of power been more evident than on two fronts in Queensland at the moment, with eco-warriors and the CFMEU.

CFMEU risks overplaying its hand with stopwork action on the centrepiece for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Carrara Sports and Recreation project. Photo: Jerad Williams

POWER brings with it responsibility and as history has demonstrated time and time again, those who fail to exercise their influence judiciously end up having that power unceremoniously stripped from them.

Seldom has such a clear-cut abuse of power and position been more evident than on two separate fronts in Queensland at the moment.

On one we have a handful of eco-warriors determined to foist their ideological opposition to coal on the rest of the world, and use every possible legal trick available to delay and disrupt development of the giant Adani project in the state’s Bowen Basin.

Coal mines dominate the Bowen Basin in Queensland.

On the second front, we have one of Australia’s most militant unions, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, which views Commonwealth Games construction work as an ideal opportunity to hold both contractors and the wider state to ransom.

In both instances we are talking about projects of international significance being effectively sabotaged because of the self-interest of a few, and Queensland’s hard-earned international reputation as an attractive investment destination being trashed in the process.

The CFMEU action relates to rolling stop-work meetings on what is the centrepiece of infrastructure for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Carrara Sports and Recreation project.

Evidence before the Federal Court indicates that the frequent stoppages have already resulted in redundancies for some of the subcontracting firms, with Fair Work Australia’s barrister claiming that “the effect of what has happened here is to shut down work on the site”.

The union may claim that the industrial action relates to “significant issues” with the building code, but it would appear an ongoing wrangle over a new Enterprise Agreement, which the project’s lead contractor understandably doesn’t want to sign until after we know who has won the election, is at the heart of the dispute.

The CFMEU is a powerful advocate for the interests of its members but, as well as being an obstacle to jobs and investment in this state, it is also its own worst enemy.

Building Site of the Carrara Sports Precinct development. Pic by Luke Marsden.

One would think a union which has many of its senior organisers facing possible criminal charges as a result of the recent royal commission might tread a softly at the moment rather than amping up the disruptively militant tactics which have earned it such a bad reputation in the first place.

Certainly a union that valued its reputation – and recognising that it is going to be squarely in the sights of the Australian Building and Construction Commission if the Coalition is returned to power – might not use a tight construction timetable for the main stadium of the 2018 Games as an opportunity for industrial blackmail.

A union which considers itself the victim of a witch hunt, and which had its eye on the long play, would not risk further alienating the public through action that is unlikely to generate widespread sympathy or support.

And in much the same way the CFMEU risks overplaying its hand, so too do green activists risk undermining what might otherwise be a fairly saleable message with tactics that border on legal vandalism.

In Queensland the most visible victim of activists’ “lawfare” are the rolling legal challenges and appeals relating to approval of Adani’s giant coal play, a project that has so far soaked up more than $100 million just in the planning and approvals process.

Again, activists have stepped over the line that divides legitimate opposition from bastardry.

No matter how thoroughly the project has been vetted, regardless of the environmental safeguards attached, and notwithstanding previous courtroom losses, every possible legal ploy is used as a spoiling tactic.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world watches as projects of international significance are held up by the ratbaggery of a few who would appear to have scant regard for their own reputation or credibility.

Regardless of who wins at the ballot box on July 2, it would be hoped that the government of the day embraces policy that manages to strike a balance between the right to protest action and giving carte blanche to a militant minority holding the majority to ransom.

GOOD SENSE RULES IN WILD TIME

AFTER a weekend of record rainfall, high winds and raging seas, a degree ­of calm returned to southeast Queensland yesterday.

Wet Weather. Toombul Shopping Centre. Pic Mark Calleja

While our thoughts are with residents of NSW who as of late yesterday were still being battered by this freak storm system, it appears that by and large Queenslanders had prepared themselves well for what was a major weather event.

Most importantly it seems that basic safety messages are beginning to be accepted by the community, especially when it comes to attempts to cross potentially deadly floodwaters.

There will always be a few idiots, but by and large residents of the southeast just battened down the hatches and sat out the worst of the weather rather than taking the sort of risks that endanger not only their own lives but also those of emergency services personnel.

Common sense and a bit of caution can save far more lives than even the most accomplished rescue teams.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Lachlan Heywood, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at couriermail.com.au