CFMEU Protests Not Representative of Wider Union Movement: Labor Minister

Tens of thousands of workers march after walking off work sites in protest against the forced administration of the construction arm of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), in Melbourne, Australia on Aug. 27, 2024. William West/AFP via Getty Images

Within a week of the CFMEU going into administration, the government and union representatives continue to be at odds over which side has broader labour support.

While reports suggest that over 50,000 union members took to the streets on Aug. 27 to protest the new law, Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said the government maintains the backing of the “broader labour movement.”

Watt is overseeing the implementation of the law that placed the CFMEU’s construction division into administration.

Speaking on ABC radio on Aug. 28, Watt said he was “pretty disturbed” by some of the imagery at the Brisbane protests, describing it as indicative of the culture that developed under the current leadership.

“I think it’s also very, very disturbing that we saw a Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather decide to share a stage with the construction union yesterday in Brisbane despite those placards invoking Nazi references, despite the coffins with the Prime Minister’s face,” he told ABC Radio National on Aug. 28.

“I mean, what does it say to people that a Greens MP puts grandstanding in front of a crowd above making a statement about what’s respectful or not?”

However, Zach Smith, national secretary of the CFMEU said the union is as strong as ever.

“You deserve a tough union, a militant union, a principled union that will take up the fight not only in the workplace. The fight for a better society does not start or finish at the gates of a worksite but continues into society, into the community, and so we will continue that struggle in administration, and we’ll continue to make sure the interests of the members are put forward,” he told the protesting workers.

Tens of thousands of workers march after walking off work sites in protest against the forced administration of the construction arm of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), in Melbourne, Australia on Aug. 27, 2024. William West/AFP via Getty Images

Green MP at CFMEU Protest

Watt criticised Green MP Max Chandler-Mather, calling it “very, very disturbing” that the minister “decided to share a stage” with the CFMEU despite the placards displayed at the rally.

Watt reiterated that the government’s decision to pass the law, which was supported by the Coalition and some crossbenchers in parliament last week, has placed the CFMEU under administration.

“I’m never surprised to see Max Chandler-Mather grandstanding in front of a crowd. It’s what he lives for,” Watt told The Epoch Times.

The government noted that the Greens MP attended the rally alongside Michael Ravbar, who was ousted as Queensland CFMEU secretary after the administrator was appointed. He was also fined last year by the Federal Circuit Court for unlawful conduct at a project site.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher also criticised Chandler-Mather for sharing the stage with CFMEU protesters in Brisbane.

“Why would you want to address a rally like that?” Gallagher said on Nine’s Today Show.

“Obviously, everyone’s entitled to demonstrate and protest, but I think in parliament, as leaders, the allegations that have been raised around intimidation, violence, and particularly misogyny are really concerning.

“Why a sitting MP would want to associate with that is something that MP will have to explain.”

Speaking at the rally, Chandler-Mather said the Labor government has “established a blueprint on how to seize control of a civil movement or union.”

He added, “You will be dismissed as radicals, but it’s not radical to believe that a construction worker should be afforded a fair trial like a CEO, banker, or politician. The real radicals are the Labor and Liberal politicians who, on untested allegations, are acting as judge, jury, and executioner.”