Door smashed as thousands of unionists protest in Brisbane CBD

A door has been smashed in and a building graffitied as thousands of construction workers downed tools and marched through Brisbane’s CBD on Wednesday morning in a CFMMEU protest.

• Pictures: CBD protest explodes

A glass door has been smashed in and a building graffitied as thousands of unionists marched through Brisbane’s CBD on Wednesday morning in a CFMMEU protest.

The march became volatile as workers reached Waterfront Place, where the offices of the federal government are located.

Workers started banging fists and flags on the glass front doors of the building, which eventually shattered.

A glass door has been smashed during a union protest in Brisbane's CBD. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Graffiti saying “f-ck ABCC” – referring to the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which was abolished in February – and “pigs” was also written on the glass.

The crowd quickly dispersed after the glass was broken.

Peter Ong, the state secretary of the Electrical Trades Union, said the smashed door was “a happy accident”.

“That glass breaking was just a mistake, absolutely not malicious at all,” he said.

CFMMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar addressed the protest, calling out the government, ABCC and the Fair Work Ombudsman.

A glass door was smashed and profanities written on windows at Waterfront Place during a union protest. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“Fair Work Ombudsman is supposed to be for the workers in this country but they failed in that, they are stealing money out of your back pockets,” Mr Ravbar said.

“25,000 workers march today all around the country, not just construction workers. It’s great to see kids here from school holidays today well done for being here.

“You wouldn’t think I would have to stand here on this podium. All these things we ask for are basic rights - to look after your health and safety, wages and conditions, your superannuation and your mental health so you can go about your job whatever it might be.”

CFMMEU members in Brisbane's CBD. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Asked about the destruction at the end of the protest, the CFMMEU said it was in the process of contact building management to organise a fix as a “top priority”.

Earlier workers said they were marching against wage theft, sham contracting and insolvency.

Streets were blocked off and traffic stopped as the hundreds-strong contingent took to the streets.

Buses of workers travelling from the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast to attend.

A social media post from the union earlier today said the protest – which was to be replicated around the country – would “be a big one”.

Unionists march through Brisbane's CBD. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“Our first truly national rally (with marches around the country) in some years,” the post said.

“Federal Labor must deliver on its promised reforms to industrial relations and dump the hopelessly compromised (Un)Fair Work Ombudsman.

“Bring your marching boots and a good set of lungs.’

One protester said the march was “for fairness and justice and for the Labor government to live up to their election promises”.

“You would think a working class party would stand up for working class values.”

There was a large police presence working to close down roads and redirect traffic around the protest.

William St, Elizabeth St and George St were all closed off by police to make way for the protest.

Motorists had been warned to expect significant delays and seek alternate routes.

The protest march made its way to Waterfront Place, where the federal government's Brisbane offices are located.

Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the destruction of property in Brisbane by CFMMEU members at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices was “an absolute disgrace” and demanded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemn it.

“The Prime Minister cannot simply turn a blind eye to this behaviour because his party continues to pocket donations from the CFMMEU,” he said.

“We predicted this type of union behaviour, ever since the Government emboldened the union movement since it came to office.”