‘Not that simple’: Miles says don’t blame union for Ekka inconvenience

Premier Steven Miles has refused to lay blame exclusively on the militant CFMEU as Ekka train services are unavailable for the second year running.

Premier Steven Miles has hosed down criticism of the CFMEU for delaying the reopening of Brisbane’s Ekka train station, saying it was “not that simple” to lay all the blame on the militant construction union.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority this week announced Exhibition station would not be temporarily reopened as planned for the iconic annual show after too many work days had been lost to strike action, and safety works couldn’t be completed.

Asked on Wednesday if the CFMEU was to blame for the delay, Mr Miles told said, “It’s not that simple.

“But I am disappointed that the Exhibition station can’t be open in time for this year’s Ekka as we always do.

“I understand that because of those delays, there were safety concerns around the time frame.

“Of course, they have to put safety first.

“They have to do the appropriate testing before we can use the new station.”

It comes after new footage of a violent brawl between CFMEU members and non-union workers outside a Cross River Rail site in May sparked renewed condemnation of the union.

The delivery authority, in a statement late on Tuesday night, revealed ongoing strike action had resulted in the loss of 11 of 15 possible workdays in the second half of July at the Exhibition station worksite, and thus work to ensure proper safety approval could not be done in time.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said it was clear the CFMEU was to blame for Queensland families being unable to travel to the Ekka by train this year.

Premier Steven Miles on Wednesday. Picture: John Gass

Mr Bleijie also blamed the CFMEU for potentially causing the Cross River Rail opening to be delayed.

It’s understood the CFMEU plans to strike indefinitely across Cross River Rail sites — though they are unable to go within 15m – and have given notice to CPB Contractors for ongoing protected action until such time an enterprise bargaining agreement is settled.

The sustained picket line has prompted CFMEU officials to begin asked union members on other projects to chip in donations for comrades on the Cross River Rail picket line.

The “hardship fund” is being used to supplement the wages of striking workers who have not been paid since the union began their latest protest on July 16 involving more than 100 CFMEU members.

A CFMEU spokesman said raising money for striking workers was business as usual for a union.

New footage of a wild brawl between unionists and unaligned workers at the Dutton Park site in May emerged hours after the CRRDA confirmed Exhibition Station would stay shut.

New Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said the new vision of the brawl at the Dutton Park site in May was “shocking”.

“Violence has no place anywhere in Australia, especially at somebody’s place of work,” he said.

CFMEU Queensland assistant state secretary Jade Ingham this week said it was “CPB management” not workers that had forced delays on the Cross River Rail project.

“Parts of this project are at least two years late due to design faults, variations, poor planning and a lack of basic construction methodology and sequencing,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Not that simple’: Miles says don’t blame union for Ekka inconvenience