Misogynistic culture of hostility: This is how the CFMEU treats women

A damning report into the Qld CFMEU has laid bare an alarming misogynistic culture of hostility towards women, including the use of tampons to target a female Labor MP.

An alarming culture of hostility towards women by the CFMEU has been uncovered in the report. Picture David Clark

An alarming misogynistic culture of hostility towards women has been uncovered in the damning report into the Queensland CFMEU, including the use of tampons to target a female Labor MP.

The Geoffrey Watson SC report into violence within the construction industry exposed several abhorrent acts against women by union members - labelling the perpetrating as “the single worst” aspect of violent tactics deployed under the former Ravbar-Ingham leadership.

“Some of the women are so traumatised they would not permit their stories to be reproduced in this report – they still feared retribution,” Mr Watson wrote.

“The leadership speaks of its concern for women, but then viciously attacks the women who oppose it in degrading and sexist terms.”

One woman was barked at like a dog, while another reported being trapped in an office by Michael Ravbar, who proceeded to lock the door and berate her.

According to the report, Mr Ravbar told the woman she “should be dragged out of here” and “we’re after you” while he stood in front of the locked door to prevent her from leaving.

In a separate incident, a female minister faced sexist abuse when tampons were attached to the door of the ladies’ bathroom near her electoral office to form a sign that read: “Flush Labor Down the Toilet”.

Union protest in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Another woman and her 13-year-old child were verbally attacked by a union member on Labour Day, 2023.

When the woman asked the member to “leave”, he turned to the child: “How does it feel to know that your mum is a f***in’ grub who sells out workers?”

Another harrowing incident involved women inside the Master Builders Australia office in Spring Hill being yelled at by protesters: “Come out here and I’ll f*** you”.

The deplorable actions were condemned by Administrator Mark Irving KC as a “gross corruption of unionism” used to gang up on women and traumatise them as part of an industrial tactic.

Several women required psychological help following incidents with members.

CFMEU officials and delegates will be forced to undergo gender equality training to urgently address thuggish conduct towards women.