Corkman pub developer claims CFMEU officials sparked violence at Hawthorn East site
The Corkman pub developer linked to a Hawthorn East construction site where two CFMEU officials were attacked claimed his staff were forced to defend themselves when union officials became aggressive after being denied entry to the site.
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The developer who destroyed the historic Corkman pub is linked to the Hawthorn East construction site where two union officials were attacked.
Raman Shaqiri of Shaq City Pty Ltd is involved in the 757-763 Toorak Road development visited by union officials on Monday over a series of complaints.
CFMEU officials Rob Buckley and Paul Tzmias had right of entry paperwork but were brutally attacked by workers, including with a slab of timber, according to the union.
However lawyers for Mr Shaqiri claimed they did not have entry documents and became aggressive when denied entry, prompting building staff to “act defensively”.
“Two persons who indicated they were union officials but were otherwise unidentified attended the site without entry documents, and without any forewarning or appointment,” his lawyer said. “They were asked several times why they were seeking entry to the site, they would only respond with one word ‘ARREO’. They were asked to produce copies of permits or other documents that entitled them to enter the site, and they refused to respond.
“They were denied entry and asked to leave. They then became physically aggressive and two staff members of the builder acted defensively. No weapons were involved.”
But the CFMEU has stood by the officials, saying they were well trained and had conducted hundreds of similar inspections without trouble.
About 250 construction workers protested outside the building site on Tuesday, amid the state’s worsening COVID-19 crisis.
The rally was dispersed following criticism, including by Premier Daniel Andrews. Victoria Police confirmed it would fine the protest organiser $1652 for breaching COVID-19 restrictions but none of the protesters would be penalised.
Opposition police spokesman David Southwick last night wrote to Police Minister Lisa Neville asking why no more fines would be issued.
“With inconsistencies such as these becoming more regular, Victorians will be rightfully questioning why our government is only responding once the horse has bolted,” he wrote.
CFMEU boss John Setka said those responsible for Monday’s alleged assault were “cowards”. “These young officials were simply doing their job,” he said.
Mr Shaqiri and Stefce Kutlesovski were slapped with a $1.3 million fine for knocking down the 160-year-old Corkman pub in Carlton without approval in 2016.
Detectives probing the assaults have appealed for witnesses or people with dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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