Sunrise journalist Georgie Chumbley at centre of CFMEU’s ‘b*tch’ abuse slams ‘hostile’ protest

The female journalist who was labelled a “media b*tch” during an ugly CFMEU protest has spoken out about the ordeal of being screamed at by grown men while she was just trying to do her job.

The female journalist who was labelled as a “media b*tch” in ugly CFMEU protests in Brisbane has spoken out about the hostility that greeted her as she tried to go about her job.

Sunrise reporter Georgie Chumbley was yelled at by the union members, who also threatened to disrupt Brisbane’s Olympic Games build, during a second day of action in Bowen Hills.

Ms Chumbley told the ABC the verbal abuse was shocking.

“They were yelling at us, pretty much verbally abusing us, yelling at us tell the truth, tell the truth,” she said.

“It was all female reporters there this morning and we were surrounded by majority grown men screaming at us while we were trying to do our job.

Channel 7 journalist Georgie Chumbley surrounded by CFMEU protesters. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

“I also got called an abusive term, I know another journalist was sworn at. Things really did heat up throughout the morning.”

“Then it became quite hostile and it seemed the mood really shifted towards berating the media while we were just trying to do our jobs.”

Female television journalists attempting to film the protest were surrounded by fist-pumping people chanting: “Tell the truth”.

One protester yelled to the speakers that he couldn’t hear “cause there’s a media b*tch talking”.

He was told by organisers to watch his language and show respect.

“I know they’re f*cking here trying to tell lies about us all but a little bit of respect towards the female media please,” the speaker said.

Another shouted: “You won’t report that one, will ya.”

Following the protest, CFMEU members were spotted inside pubs for Friday afternoon drinks.

Several members wearing CFMEU attire were seen having post-protest drinks at the Jubilee Hotel, Half-Pint Bar and the Breakfast Creek Hotel.

Before midday, more than a dozen CFMEU members were observed in the Breaky Creek’s outside dining area.

CFMEU members pictured at the Jubilee Hotel.

Construction union members at the Jubilee Hotel post protest.

CFMEU members pictured at a the Jubilee Hotel.

Hundreds of chanting and dancing union members blocked Campbell St in protest against the High Court’s decision to uphold the administration of their militant union.

CFMEU members block Campbell St outside the union's inner-Brisbane headquarters.

The protest disrupted the work schedule at major construction sites – including Cross River Rail – and slowed traffic north of the city.

Protesters dance during a rally at Bowen Hills on Friday, June 20. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg labelled the protest an extraordinary “dummy spit” by the CFMEU and said Queenslanders would not be “intimidated” by the union.

“I think Queenslanders have had enough of the CFMEU and their bullying and thuggery,” he said.

“The CFMEU need to get on with the job of building the infrastructure that we need here in Queensland – Queenslanders are not going to tolerate the intimidation and the approach taken by the CFMEU over recent days.

Members of a large CFMEU protest outside the Qld headquarters in Bowen Hills. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

“I will not stand by and watch CFMEU thugs intimidate workers who are just trying to get on with their job and I will not stand by and watch CFMEU thugs disrupting commuters in Brisbane.”

Mr Mickelberg would not quantify the cost of the protests but said it would affect productivity.

He said the CFMEU should “get back on with the job”.

A union member at the rally on Campbell St at Bowen Hills. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

While the protest targeted the federal government-led national administration of the CFMEU, the Queensland branch has also targeted the state government.

Union member Josh Howard said Premier David Crisafulli’s LNP government decided the Olympics was more important than workers’ health.

“The Crisafullash-t government promised not to cut funds, but now he’s going back on his word,” he told the crowd, before labelling Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie a “coward”.

He said many of his mates lost jobs building hospitals because builders had put all their resources into those projects.

“What has our administration done to build these hospitals? The administration is willing to screw us all over until the branch of this union collapse.”

Union protesters set up picnic chairs in the midst of the rally. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Earlier, a speaker from the union said the government “can’t build the Olympics without us”.

Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick, asked for his view on the CFMEU protest, said “everyone needs to respect the decision of the courts in this country”.

Hundreds of people have gathered for a union protest outside the CFMEU office in Brisbane’s Bowen Hills. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Originally published as Sunrise journalist Georgie Chumbley at centre of CFMEU’s ‘b*tch’ abuse slams ‘hostile’ protest