Annastacia Palaszczuk confirms Labor won’t return CFMEU donations after government department stormed

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Labor Party won’t be returning CFMEU donations after the controversial union stormed the Department of Transport and Main Roads building earlier this year.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Labor Party won’t be returning CFMEU donations after the controversial union stormed the Department of Transport and Main Roads building earlier this year.

The Premier was asked on Friday whether she would be returning $90,000 of donations now a police investigation into the incident was completed, having previously said she would wait for the outcome.

Following a protest outside the CBD building, more than 200 CFMEU members stormed the Department of Transport and Main Roads in August, with public servants being forced to hide in offices.

Both Ms Palaszczuk and Transport Minister Mark Bailey strongly condemned the actions of the militant union at the time, calling it disgraceful and unacceptable.

“The footage is incredibly disturbing and I would have hated being a person there with that happening,” she said following the incident.

“No worker should to go work fearing for their safety … it is disgraceful behaviour.”

CFMEU protesters storm the TMR building on Mary St, Brisbane on Tuesday August 23

But on Friday it was made clear the Labor Party would not be cutting ties with the union, with Ms Palaszczuk saying “it’s been investigated by police and the matter is now closed”.

“I said what people need to do is be respectful,” she said.

Pressed further, Ms Palaszczuk said “I’m not the police”, and it was the party which accepts CFMEU donations, not her personally.

Police fined one person $431 for public nuisance over the incident.

LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie accused Ms Palaszczuk of “protecting her political mates”, ahead of “prioritising the safety of her own government staff”.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“Initially, the Premier said she was outraged but since then she’s clearly been told by the unions that own and run the Labor Party not to donate the money to charity,” he said.

“Queenslanders know the Premier won’t act against the CFMEU because the CFMEU control and own the Labor Party in Queensland. It’s as simple as that.”

Originally published as Annastacia Palaszczuk confirms Labor won’t return CFMEU donations after government department stormed