Black hoodies, cameras and ‘slurs’ at centre of Queensland CFMEU case

The lead contractor on Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project has told the Federal Court workers have been intimidated and threatened at the CFMEU picket line this week.

CPB Contractors successfully argued for the court to impose new restrictions on the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, warning any further delays to the project would push back train tests and keep the Exhibition station offline during the Ekka.

The CFMEU had questioned their evidence, saying any individuals involved may have acted without authority and could have purchased their CFMEU-branded clothing online.

Thursday’s court hearing came as Michael Ravbar, the CFMEU’s Queensland and Northern Territory construction division secretary, continued his attack on Labor governments over their bid to place the union in administration.

Ravbar again claimed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was putting workers at risk by targeting the CFMEU rather than construction companies.

“The CFMEU has been standing up to rogue civil contractors and their cronies for years, and we’ve seen off nastier characters than the likes of Albanese,” he said.

“Albanese is a chameleon who does not understand Queensland. He is a political liability in this state.”

Ravbar also criticised Premier Steven Miles, and labelled Gary Bullock, the influential head of the United Workers Union, an “elf”.

In court, a site supervisor employed by CPB testified that he was made to feel “uncomfortable” crossing a CFMEU picket line on Tuesday morning.

The supervisor said he and three others were confronted by eight men wearing black CFMEU hoodies at the Albert Street worksite. They were recorded by one of the men, while another said, “you’re not going to cross the picket line – stand with your brothers and sisters”.

CPB counsel Shannon Moody produced CCTV footage she said showed CFMEU representatives turning away three concrete trucks from another worksite. She said a subcontractor had been warned “if you pour concrete you will be blackballed in Queensland”.

Moody said there was evidence of picketers using slurs such as “scum” and “grubs,” and of large numbers of union supporters, some in CFMEU hoodies, crowding the entrance to one worksite.

The CFMEU’s barrister, Charles Massy, questioned the quality of the evidence. He said the trucks could have left for other reasons – including that there weren’t enough workers available during the strike to conduct a pour – and the alleged threat was denied by one of those responsible for concrete deliveries.

Massy suggested the evidence pointed to isolated incidents involving individuals who CPB could not prove acted for the CFMEU – potentially even non-union workers who purchased the hoodies online.

On Thursday night, Justice Berna Collier found the evidence supported CPB’s bid for a ban on the CFMEU taking photographs and recording other workers crossing the picket line, and a 15-metre cordon around entrances and exits to allow safe passage to Cross River Rail sites.

Moody argued the matter was urgent.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority had yet to announce whether Exhibition station would reopen for the Ekka next month, but a spokesman said any delays “make it more challenging”.