Victorian construction industry to be shutdown after tradies’ violent protest outside union
The Victorian construction industry will be shut down for at least two weeks following violent protests outside the state’s CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne.
Riot police were this afternoon forced to step in to disperse hundreds of riled up construction workers who gathered outside the CFMEU Melbourne office, protesting COVID-19 restrictions.
Heavily-armoured police approached the crowd about 4pm after the workers were seen kicking in the glass entrance to the Elizabeth Street building in Melbourne’s CBD and brawling, almost seven hours since the protest began.
The government is now understood to be about to announce a statewide two-week shutdown of the construction industry that will begin at midnight.
High-level talks have been underway between government officials and some critical infrastructure works, such as hospitals and some ongoing level crossing removal projects, are expected to continue during the shutdown.
This afternoon the union declared it won’t be intimated by “extremists”, saying the crowd was “heavily infiltrated by neo-Nazis”.
A number of people have been arrested, police said.
Videos on social media showed the workers, many of which are unmasked, gathered around the entrance to the office throughout the day while chanting, yelling and throwing items.
The crowd was protesting against the government’s decision that construction workers will be forced to have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to be allowed to work from Friday.
In a statement, the CFMEU said it had fought hard to keep its members safe.
“We have always supported freedom of choice regarding vaccination and have been consistent with this message,” the spokeswoman said.
“Many members within our industry have decided to get the vaccine through their own personal choice, and we will represent members if their employment is affected.
“We call on members who are not supporting the protest, not to congregate at the site.
“We are not going to be intimidated by outside extremists attempting to intimidate the union, by spreading misinformation and lies about the union’s position.”
The CFMEU said it would “always advocate for safety, jobs, and freedom of choice”.
CFMEU National Construction Secretary Dave Noonan also issued a statement declaring the crowd “was heavily infiltrated by neo-Nazis and other right wing extremist groups”.
“These are not actions of people who care about their workmates and the construction industry.
“They are the actions of extremists or people manipulated by extremists.”
He said a number of people received minor injuries “from acts of violence including the throwing of bottles”.
Earlier today, CFMEU Victorian State Secretary John Setka used a loudspeaker to ask the group to “calm down,” but his attempt to speak was drowned out by calls verbally abusing and swearing at him.
Videos being streamed online show Mr Setka, who was wearing a mask, holding his hands up and pushing back angry workers encroaching on the entrance to the building.
Footage also shows workers chanted “F— the jab” and “freedom” while fist pumping.
Bottles and other items were thrown at the doors to the office and workers were seen angrily pushing and shoving.
A loudspeaker and an office window were smashed in the chaos.
Mr Setka was forced to take shelter back inside the building.
The group has continued to grow throughout the afternoon, with estimates of at least 500 and up to 1000 workers by mid-afternoon.
A video has emerged online of a member of the crowd kicking a dog, while others show workers turning up to the protest with boxes of beer.
While still inside the surrounded union office, Mr Setka has told 3AW he has been “pretty disappointed” by the scenes.
“I can be yelled at,” he said. “But some of that violence and throwing projectiles and all that was absolutely totally unacceptable, absolutely disgusting.”
Mr Setka said he did not back vaccinations being mandated, despite protesters claiming the union was wrongfully supporting the government’s decision.
“We were blind sighted by some of the Department of Health’s recommendations last week,” he said.
“How all of a sudden it’s our fault is beyond me.
“We’re virtually being blamed for everything.”
Mr Setka confirmed some union employees were among the protesters, and that the crowd was chanting “shut it down” in reference to his question did they want the construction industry to be shutdown.
Police have this evening issued a statement, confirming specialist units had deployed crown control equipment after “the crowd grew increasingly hostile”.
“Specialist units have gathered evidence to identify offences and as many of those in attendance as possible,” a police 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.
“All other offences detected will be dealt with accordingly.”
Construction workers state-wide must show proof to their employer that they have had at least one vaccine dose by 11.59pm on September 23 in order to be allowed to work.
A message sent to a group titled ‘Vic Freedom Movement Event’ on a social messaging app calls for to get to the office to “support freedom of choice”.
“Send a message that your unions will lose your support if they comply with these measures that defy personal choices for medical decisions,” the message reads.
The protest comes after more than 100 workers across several Melbourne suburbs and CBD streets stopped traffic on Friday to protest being banned from their tea rooms.
When asked about his response to tradies protesting this morning, Premier Daniel Andrews said protests were futile when it came to COVID-19.
“Protest doesn’t work against this virus,” he said.
“There’d been a whole bunch of people sitting at home scratching their heads about why anyone would be protesting about being open”.
