Federal Court’s bombshell ban on CFMEU at Cross River Rail worksites

The Federal Court has banned CFMEU members from going within 15 metres of entrances to Cross River Rail sites following “ongoing reports of unlawful tactics” by the militant union.

CFMEU members have been banned by the Federal Court from going within 15 metres of the entrance to Cross River Rail sites and photographing or recording anybody who enters the site.

CPB Contractors were successful in securing a Federal Court injunction following “ongoing reports of unlawful tactics” by CFMEU representatives during its protected action protest earlier this week.

It argued workers crossing the union’s picket line had been harassed and intimidated.

Hundreds of CFMEU workers blocking access to Cross River Rail sites across Brisbane on Tuesday. Picture: David Clark

Justice Collier on Thursday night ordered the CFMEU officers, delegates, employees or other representatives be restrained from photographing or recording “any person or vehicle entering or leaving a CRR construction site”.

Union representatives will also be banned from coming within 15 meters of the entrances of 16 worksites unless they are entering “for the purpose of performing work”.

The CFMEU had until 9am Friday to notify its members of the court orders.

In submissions to the Federal Court in Brisbane yesterday, Shannon Moody, counsel for CPB Contractors, told Justice Berna Collier that the “chilling effect” of the union’s harassment of CPB staff and CRR subcontractors could also put at risk the plan to test the first train to travel under Brisbane in the new railway tunnels on July 27 and 28.

CFMEU members pictured outside Cross River Rail sites. Picture: David Clark

Ms Moody quoted from the affidavit of CPB staffer Terry Prior stating that work must occur on the CRR in coming days or this vital train test could be aborted.

Mr Prior alleges that critical deadlines are missed because a substantial number of the 1500 to 2000-strong subcontractor workforce aren’t showing up to work due to intimidation and harassment tactics of the CFMEU.

It comes after tense union action outside Cross River Rail worksites on Tuesday involving more than 100 CFMEU members.