Hundreds of CFMEU protesters storm Transport and Main Roads building in Brisbane CBD

Public servants were put at risk, events cancelled and a government building forced into lock down after hundreds of militant construction union members stormed a CBD building.

Public servants have been put at risk, a government building forced to lock down and events cancelled after hundreds of militant construction union members stormed a CBD building in a protest gone awry.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads confirmed “more than” 200 CFMEU members held a protest at the government’s Mary St offices on Tuesday about 9am before forcibly entering the building.

This included knocking down a security guard — who was not seriously injured — and exposing staff members to “upsetting and unacceptable” behaviour.

Photos have since emerged of protesters inside the building.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey, who was not in the building at the time, confirmed some staff were trapped in a server room to get away from protesters.

CFMEU protesters storm the TMR building on Mary St, Brisbane on Tuesday August 23

Queensland Police confirmed they were called to protest action around 9.30am on Tuesday, though their estimates put the crowd at around 100 to 150.

The annual Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program industry briefing was due to be held in the Mary St building that morning, with TMR director general Neil Scales scheduled to speak.

But a TMR spokesperson confirmed police presence did not stop CFMEU members from helping others forcibly enter the building, with the mob then entering the conference room set to be used for the event.

“The safety of our staff is our number one priority, and accordingly the event was called off at 9.40am but protesters remained until 10.30am,” they said.

“Three senior members of the CFMEU had been invited to attend the briefing, where a number of Transport and Main Roads staff were scheduled to speak, including (Mr) Scales.”

It is understood the CFMEU protest was an extension of its recent gripes with “systemic noncompliance” with government policy and its calls for the resignation of Mr Scales.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey address the parliament during question time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

The regional legs of the QTRIP event, due to be held over the course of this week, have also been cancelled as a precaution.

Mr Bailey, who has attended the QTRIP event each year barring 2020 due to Covid measures, said he was not due to be at the event on Tuesday due to ministerial commitments and had sent through a prerecorded address instead.

Mr Bailey confirmed he had met with the CFMEU’s state secretary on Monday but refuted any assertion he had any prior knowledge the protest was due to take place.

“I had no prior knowledge of the CFMEU intention to turn up to the briefing nor of their tactics, and I absolutely reject any insinuation otherwise,” he said.

Mr Bailey defended workers ability to protest but said “you must do it respectfully, and you must do it peacefully and that’s not what we saw yesterday”.

“And, you know, I’m afraid that’s, you know, I can’t defend that at all. And I wouldn’t defend that,” he said.