Qld Premier Steven Miles makes big move against CFMEU

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has vowed to place the state branch of the CFMEU into administration amid allegations of violence at a picket line.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has vowed to push through legislation to place the Queensland branch of the CFMEU in administration.

It comes in the wake of a video showing a violent confrontation last month at a picket line at the Cross River Rail site at Dutton Park in Brisbane.

Video published by The Courier Mail on Wednesday showed workers involved in an altercation with union workers as they attempted to break through the CFMEU picket line.

At one point two men trade blows as the fight spills onto the roadway, causing traffic to be stopped.

On Thursday, Mr Miles denied he had gone “soft” on the CFMEU, which is under increasing pressure as the Fair Work Commission prepares to apply to the Federal Court to appoint independent administrators to the union.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles says he hasn’t gone soft on the CFMEU. Picture: Dan Peled/NewsWire

“The violence that we have seen in our construction industry is completely unacceptable,” Mr Miles said on Thursday.

“And we will take whatever steps are necessary to stamp out that kind of violence and bullying and intimidation. It is not acceptable in any workplace. It is not acceptable in our construction industry.”

Mr Miles has vowed to push through legislation to place the Queensland branch of the CFMEU in independent administration. Picture: Dan Peled/NewsWire.

He said his government had spoken with federal Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt, proposing that any federal application to appoint administrators to the CFMEU also apply in Queensland.

“We are determined to take what steps are necessary at a state level to stamp out this violence and intimidation because it is not acceptable,” Mr Miles said.

He said he would move urgent legislation to appoint an administrator to the Queensland branch of the CFMEU.

“We will do whatever is necessary to get that in place and to have it in place as quickly as possible after the Australian parliament passes their legislation,” Mr Miles said.

Originally published as Qld Premier Steven Miles makes big move against CFMEU