Jarrod Bleijie links CFMEU mural removal to developer's govt approval bid

The Deputy Premier has linked a developer’s construction approval to the removal of a union's snake mural visible from his ministerial office.

Industrial Relations and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: Lachie Millard

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has linked the covering up of a CFMEU mural from a building site next to his ministerial office to the developer’s request for government approval of construction changes.

Mr Bleijie has demanded the mural – of a cobra with the words “if provoked, will strike” next to “CFMEU” in large bold letters – be painted over at the George St construction site of a new apartment tower.

The tower is part of the Queen’s Wharf precinct and is located across the road from Parliament House and a block from the government’s offices on 1 William St.

It is being developed by the Destination Brisbane Consortium, which includes the Far East Consortium, with the entities currently waiting on Economic Development Queensland – an authority overseen by Mr Bleijie – to green-light requested development changes.

Mr Bleijie is both Industrial Relations and Planning Minister.

His letter to Destination Brisbane chief operating officer Mike Barry stated: “I am aware EDQ are currently assessing an application to vary development conditions relating to the construction management plan for the Queen’s Wharf Tower.

“In the interest of time and while EDQ assess the application, I ask that Destination Brisbane Consortium in consultation with FEC Construction paint over the mural to ensure quick removal of the imagery.”

The cobra part of the mural has since been boarded up.

It was the second letter Mr Bleijie had written to Destination Brisbane, his first coming after the damning Watson Review into the culture of the Queensland CFMEU.

At the time he asked Mr Barry for the company to cover up the mural’s snake, as he claimed it reflected the union’s “culture of violence and intimidation” and allowing it to remain would encourage bad behaviour.

Destination Brisbane did not respond to requests for comment.

Designed by Brisbane street artists Notonebuttoo, the CFMEU gained permission from site developer Far East Consortium Construction (FEC) with Brisbane City Council also providing an official permit in October 2024.

A CFMEU spokesman said the union’s focus was on productivity and safety.

“And by all reports, Queen’s Wharf Towers 5 and 6 are humming at the moment,” he said.

FEC Construction project director Andrew White just two weeks ago praised the onsite relationship with the CFMEU on social media, calling the union a partner in productivity.

But Mr Bleijie maintained the mural represented intimidation tactics.

“I acknowledge your position that Destination Brisbane Consortium ‘take these concerns very seriously and remain committed to ensuring that all aspects of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct reflect the highest of standards of safety, professionalism and respect’,” he wrote.

“And that you ‘do not condone any conduct or messaging that could be perceived as intimidating or inconsistent with a safe and inclusive workplace’.

“As reiterated in my previous letter, the CFMEU’s militant intimidation tactics, both actual and perceived have no place on Queensland construction sites.”

Originally published as Jarrod Bleijie links CFMEU mural removal to developer's govt approval bid