Bloody violence erupts at chaotic construction rally

Bloody violence has erupted outside CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne after hundreds of tradies faced off with union officials.

Riot police have pelted rubber bullets at protesters during a bloody, chaotic brawl that saw hundreds of people storm the CFMEU headquarters protesting mandatory vaccinations for construction workers.

Several people were arrested during the violent demonstration where union officials were forced inside the building while angry protesters smashed up and graffitied property.

Bottles, cans and pallets were launched at shop stewards during the chaos.

Union boss John Setka tried to calm down the crowd but retreated inside when things turned violent.

The scenes at the CFMEU building on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Riot Police at the protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

More than 100 people dressed in hi-vis gathered outside the Melbourne building on Monday, rallying against the state government requirement that all construction workers receive at least one Covid-19 jab by September 23

It’s believed the violent protest was infiltrated by right-wing extremists and anti-vaccination activists, with police now working to identify and fine those involved.

A spokesman from Victoria Police said officers secured the area to maintain public order, after protester set off flares as police made arrests.

“As the afternoon progressed the crowd grew increasingly hostile, specialist units attended the scene and crowd control equipment was deployed,” the spokesman said.

“Victoria Police will not tolerate this sort of activity and all those identified will be fined for breaching the chief health officer’s directions.”

Protesters fighting outside the CFMEU headquarters on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

A man with blood on his face at the protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Staff locked themselves inside the building after a scuffle broke out and the situation escalated.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews slammed the violent demonstration, saying the rally “will not work”.

It comes just three days after tradies took to the streets to protest mandatory vaccines and bans on tea rooms.

Construction workers gather in front of the CFMEU headquarters on Elizabeth Street. Picture: David Crosling

“I have nothing but respect for the people who do the building of our city,” Mr Andrews said.

“But there would be a whole bunch of people at home because their industry is shut and they would be scratching their heads about why anyone would be protesting about being open.”

The Premier described the rally as an illegal gathering, paving the way for fines or arrests.

There were wild scenes at the protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus condemned the display on Twitter, calling out the “extreme right-wing activists”.

“The ACTU condemns the violent attack on the CFMEU office orchestrated by violent right-wing extremists and anti-vaccination activists,” she said.

“This violent attack on union property which endangered union officials, staff and the public was reprehensible.”

Construction workers are seen confronting CFMEU boss John Setka outside the union’s headquarters. Picture: David Crosling

The workers gathered in their hundreds outside the CFMEU. Picture: David Crosling

Construction workers clash with unionists at a protest at CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne. Picture: James Ross/AAP

The angry workers yelled obscenities at union officials before some began wrestling and throwing projectiles.

Some workers screamed at Mr Sekta, calling him a “snake” and other slurs before he headed inside.

Others yelled about mandatory vaccine requirements while alluding to the Covid-19 pandemic being a “conspiracy”.

The protestors yelled out “f**k the jab” as police watched on and controlled traffic.

Footage taken from the protest showed a dog being kicked during a fight between several men.

Hundreds of construction workers outside their CFMEU union headquarters on Elizabeth Street, furious about mandatory vaccinations which start Friday for their industry. pic.twitter.com/60nB1awgJY

— Paul Dowsley (@paul_dowsley) September 20, 2021

Insane footage coming out of the @CFMEU Victoria headquarters in Melbourne.

Construction workersare protesting against the union, mandatory vaccination and @DanielAndrewsMP.#springst#covid19vicpic.twitter.com/kgiViaMN0U

— Gus Bruno (@gusbruno7) September 20, 2021

Tradies will need to have had their first dose of the vaccine by Thursday to be allowed to continue working.

Mr Andrews brought in the new restrictions due to the increasing risk of virus transmission within the construction industry, which is at the heart of multiple outbreaks in Melbourne.

Speaking to reporters, he denied suggestions there was widespread vaccination hesitancy within the sector.

“None of the decisions are made lightly about the rules that apply on a building site – a good deal of work goes into that – and I would ask people to follow those rules,” he said.

“Frankly, if protests worked against this virus, we would be in a very different position, wouldn’t we.”

Daniel Andrews denied suggestions there was widespread vaccine hesitancy within the construction sector. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The industry has been allowed to operate through the pandemic but has had limits on the number of workers on site.

It could face further restrictions or even closure after the Victorian government revealed 73 per cent of construction sites were breaking rules.

The majority of noncompliance has been detected across small, civil construction sites in Melbourne’s north and west, where most of the city’s transmission has unfolded.

The breaches included failure to display density limit and mask-wearing posters, an absence of QR codes, and inadequate Covid safety plans.

CFMEU Victoria boss John Setka, who was yelled at and forced back into the union’s headquarters, said the health department called all the shots.

“We were blindsided by what happened and people are obviously not impressed,” Mr Setka told 3AW radio as crowds continued to build outside the union headquarters.

“We’ve had numerous conversations since Friday to try and get some of these guidelines change in regards to amenities, smoko sheds and a whole heap of other things with little success, and people are not happy about that.

“We’ve got to understand that there is some people out there that have a genuine concern and that’s their right.”

Authorities are unimpressed by the protesters and say the government has “bent over backwards” to keep the industry running. Picture: David Crosling

Covid-19 testing head Jeroen Weimar last week said the government had been working hard to keep the sector open.

“So many of us would love to be working almost normally and actually, people are bending over backwards to keep the construction industry going and keep important sites going for important reasons,” he said.

“We all need to be humble on this and recognise the privilege that those of us who are still able to work can get.”

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