Hundreds to march at CFMEU protest on Tuesday at Queens Gardens Park
Hundreds of CFMEU members are set to protest on Tuesday morning after the union was plunged into administration with a massive rally in Brisbane and one in Cairns.
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Hundreds of protesters from the CFMEU are expected rally in a show of defiance after the union was plunged into administration with Brisbane streets expected to close.
“We encourage all members of the community to join us. CFMEU members deserve control over their union, just like any other worker,” the union’s Queensland/Northern Territory division posted on its Facebook page on Friday with a fist pump emoji.
A rally is expected to be held at Cairns Esplanade at the exact same time calling for “democracy for CFMEU members”.
WHEN IS THE PROTEST?
On Tuesday at 11am, CFMEU members will gather at Queens Gardens Park, where it is expected to last a couple of hours.
WHAT ROADS WILL BE CLOSED?
The protesters will march from the park to 1 William Street. George Street and some surrounds are expected to be closed for sometime as they march.
Margaret and Alice streets will be closed between 11.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday. The protest will start at Queens Gardens and move to 1 William Street. George Street, Elizabeth Street, Charlotte Street, and Mary Street will be also affected by temporary closures during the march.
WHY ARE THEY MARCHING?
The large rally is in response to the CFMEU being placed into administration on Friday by the Albanese Government after allegations the union was infiltrated by criminals.
After its administration multiple leaders were sacked.
WHAT’S EXPECTED BASED ON PAST RALLIES
The CFMEU has for decades been Queensland’s loudest union, with aggressive protests and standover tactics on worksites helping it achieve favourable outcomes.
In 2022, public servants were put at risk and events were cancelled after hundreds of CFMEU members held a protest at the government’s Mary St offices and forcibly entered the building.
Hundreds of workers also marched through the city in July 2023 in the aftermath of a workplace incident that left a man fighting for life.
Another protest, in February this year, also shut down the city following claims a young father and Cross River Rail worker died from heat stress.
“The Queensland Police Service (QPS) will attend to help minimise impacts on traffic,” a spokesman said.
“The QPS expects the protest to be conducted peacefully and lawfully, with officers available to provide support, direction and control as may be required.”
HOW MUCH TRACTION HAS THE PROTEST RECEIVED?
Since the post on Friday, there has been hundreds of likes and comments. Some include “if you don’t show, you aren’t union” and “the workers united will never be defeated”.
WHO WAS SACKED?
About 280 union officials across the country were terminated.
From that, about 21 Queensland officials were sacked including state secretary Michael Ravbar, and Assistant state secretaries Jade Ingham and Kane Lowth.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION?
Victorian Mark Irving KC was named administrator. Forensic accountants will look through the unions finances and demand documents. He will have three years to do this investigation.
WHAT ALLEGATIONS HAS THE CFMEU FACED?
The Queensland branch of the CFMEU has faced accusations of bullying of non-aligned workers on the state’s construction sites and standover tactics.
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