Union-authorised poster depicting Premier Steven Marshall as a rat is ‘disturbing’

Treasurer Rob Lucas has slammed an election poster put up by the CFMEU which depicts Premier Steven Marshall as a rat, saying it has gone too far.

A union-authorised poster depicting Premier Steven Marshall as a rat is a “very disturbing development in the election campaign”, Treasurer Rob Lucas says.

The CFMEU, the union representing industries including construction, this weekend erected the corflute, which shows the picture with the words “Marshall doesn’t give a rats”.

Another authorised by the union shows Mr Marshall on the front of a cigarette packet with the words “WARNING ... will cause ramping ... hazardous to your health”.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said a corflute depicting Premier Steven Marshall as a rat was a "very disturbing development". Picture: Supplied

Treasurer Rob Lucas said the rat depiction was reminiscent of unions’ giant inflatable rat Scabby, which was used on picket lines to protest against employers or non-union contractors.

“The CFMEU is the most vile, dysfunctional trade union in the nation, and now they have put their money where their mouth is and publicly backed their choice, ex-shoppies union boss Mr Malinauskas, to lead the state,” he said.

“This is a very disturbing development in the election campaign and should serve as a stark reminder to every South Australian and local business of the huge risk Labor presents to the state’s growing economy and jobs.”

Mr Lucas said the union’s “militant campaigns” have driven up construction costs in the eastern states.

“The last thing SA’s economic recovery needs is the CFMEU’s cancer spreading to SA building sites,” he said.

In the past four years, unions including the CFMEU have donated more than $700,000 to the state branch of the Labor Party.

Treasurer Rob Lucas has slammed the posters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

But CFMEU SA construction secretary Andrew Sutherland, who authorised the corflutes, said “Steven Marshall’s performance as South Australian premier speaks for itself”.

“The people of South Australia will draw their own conclusions about how they see the Liberal leader, regardless of what they see on a corflute,” he said.

“His mismanagement of the Covid pandemic, funding cuts to emergency and frontline services, and his economic failures paint a clear enough picture for voters at this election.

“Bring on March 19 — let the people speak.”

An Opposition spokesperson said: “Clearly retiring Rob Lucas is concerned about recent positive commentary from senior business leaders and organisations about Peter Malinauskas and the Labor team”.

Originally published as Union-authorised poster depicting Premier Steven Marshall as a rat is ‘disturbing’