CFMEU goes on the attack against Jackie Trad ahead of Labor state conference
The boss of the CFMEU has called for Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to resign as the integrity saga dogging the government threatens to overwhelm the party’s State Conference this weekend.
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THE stage has been set for a showdown over the political future of Deputy Premier Jackie Trad at this weekend’s Queensland Labor state conference.
Left union boss Michael Ravbar yesterday launched an excoriating attack on Ms Trad — the most powerful minister in his faction — calling for her head as building industry unions including Mr Ravbar’s CFMEU and the ETU marched on Parliament demanding changes to Cross River Rail’s procurement.
The vocal conference-eve rally came as Ms Trad and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk faced their third day of questions over the ongoing integrity saga involving the Treasurer’s Woolloongabba investment property.
The issue is expected to also dominate today’s Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee hearing where CCC chair Alan Macsporran is due to appear for the first time since he ruled himself out of the watchdog’s assessment of the property purchase.
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Mr Ravbar yesterday called for the Cross River Rail delivery authority to be axed and for everyone associated with the project “from the minister down” to be investigated by the CCC before turning his attention squarely on Ms Trad and calling for her to resign.
“She is no friend of the worker,” he said,
“Right now we have more energy and political capital being spent on Jackie Trad’s $700,000 investment property than we do on the largest infrastructure project in Queensland
“The property stuff is pretty average at the very best, pretty poor actually.
“I know she’s got a big portfolio, and they all say they work hard … I don’t do it lightly.
“That’s the call we’ve made, and we’ve had a chat internally through the union.”
He took aim at Ms Trad’s contentious comments regarding the need for mine workers to reskill, telling journalists: “One thing about Trad, she’s a very tough lady, and I respect that, but she knows what she says and does.
“She’s never been one (to have) good relationship with unions.”
And it will not end there.
Mr Ravbar has flagged raising Ms Trad’s future from the floor of the conference when union moves its planned motions on issues including the Government’s procurement policy.
“There’s one on Cross River Rail. It doesn’t say Jackie but you can amend resolutions. I might decide to get up and amend the resolution.
“Who knows. I’ll keep my powder dry, we’ve got a couple of days, and have a bit of fun while we’re there.”
Any such move is likely to inflame other affiliated unions across the factions with several indicating they would vote down any such attempt.
ETU state secretary Peter Ong said the unions were taken by surprise by Mr Ravbar’s call after a meeting earlier that day had agreed they would not demand Ms Trad’s head.
“I certainly do not support the comments that Michael made today,” he said.
United Voice boss Gary Bullock, one of Labor’s most powerful figures, said his union would not support any motion calling for the Deputy Premier to resign, describing her as an “integral part of the Palaszczuk Government leadership”.
“Jackie Trad has been a fierce advocate for United Voice members and working people,” he said.
Fellow Left union leader Rohan Webb of the AMWU — of which Ms Trad is a member — said his union would also not support the move.
“The AMWU will not support any motions calling for resignations,” he said.
Ms Trad continued to defend herself against Opposition fire during Question Time yesterday with the LNP continuing to call on her to resign.
Both she and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk insisted the CCC should be allowed to complete its assessment into the house purchase before any other action is taken.
Ms Trad has promised to stand aside should the CCC investigate.
Ms Palaszczuk continued to stand by Ms Trad yesterday, comparing LNP Leader Deb Frecklington to an Alice in Wonderland villain.
“The Queen of Hearts over there — ‘Off with their heads,” she said.
“There is a process underway and people respect the process
Ms Palaszczuk was also forced to defend another MP, Brittany Lauga, after it was revealed she took four months to declare a night’s stay at the home of Chinese businessman behind a major tourism development in her electorate.
Mr Ravbar yesterday also questioned Ms Palaszczuk’s chief of staff David Barbagallo — himself embroiled in an integrity saga over a $267,500 taxpayer-funded co-investment awarded to a company he part-owns.
He was less savage in his assessment of the Premier, however.
“I still think people like Palaszczuk to be honest with you,” Mr Ravbar said.
“But some of her ministers just need to lift their game..”
LNP industrial relations spokesman Jarrod Bleijie seized on the union yesterday.
“You know it’s bad when even your union overlords say you’re out of touch,” he told the House.
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