Toowoomba company Newlands shuts down CBD worksite, stands down subcontractor after March 4 Justice protesters heckled

A major construction site has been shut down and a worker stood aside after protesters of violence against women were heckled and told to “shut up and go home” as they marched for justice.

A Toowoomba construction company has shut down its CBD worksite and stood down a subcontractor after protesters in the Women’s March 4 Justice rally on Monday were heckled.

Newlands Group received a flurry of complaints after at least one worker on its Margaret St worksite shouted at protesters marching in the rally, which was part of a nationwide movement against gendered sexual violence, particularly in the national parliament.

Some video evidence from the march shows the workers shouting from the site, and people who were part of the march said the comments included telling the women to “shut up and go home”.

PEACE Organisation founder and Gen Allpass called out the behaviour during her speech at the rally.

Managing director Barry O’Sullivan confirmed he temporarily shut down the site yesterday, while a worker employed by a Brisbane subcontracting company was stood down from all Newlands sites.

He said the behaviour was not reflective of the company’s workplace culture, but accepted what had happened at the site was not acceptable.

“We brought all the people off the site, spoke to them broadly about what behaviour is acceptable and what is not,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“That individual was stood down from Newlands projects, and before he is allowed back he’ll have to take on some training and undertake some counselling — if he’s allowed back.

“When I rang the subcontracting business, they were supportive of the plan and said that the individual’s behaviour was not reflective of their culture.

“It is very disappointing that it occurred on a Newlands site — I will own that this was on our site, but the outcome of what has happened is not representative of our workplace culture on our worksites.”

March organiser Louise Noble said she appreciated the swift response from Newlands, saying the behaviour displayed was what the protests were partially about.

“I think it’s very commendable from a leadership perspective,” she said.

“A lot of time, women are just told to put up with it (but) we won’t tolerate poor behaviour anymore.

“I think it goes to the heart of the rally, in that I think it’s about understanding male privilege and its effects.”