The CFMEU rally in Melbourne drew an estimated 50,000 to the city streets.Credit:Jason South
Workplace Minister Murray Watt hit back at the Greens and defended the government’s decision to pass laws through parliament last week – backed by the Coalition and some crossbenchers – to appoint an administrator to run the union for five years.
“I’m never surprised to see Max Chandler-Mather grandstanding in front of a crowd. It’s what he lives for,” Watt told this masthead.
The government noted the Greens MP was at the rally with Ravbar,who was ousted as Queensland CFMEU secretary after the appointment of the administrator and who lost a civil case in the courts last year about the union’s tactics.
The Federal Circuit Courtordered Ravbar to pay $9320 for breaching right-of-entry laws,while the union had to pay $204,000 and another organiser $12,000.
Chandler-Mather defended his appearance by saying he was not supporting any individual.
“I was at the rally to speak to the tens of thousands of union members outraged at Labor’s attacks on unions … not any specific official,” he said.
Ravbar drew cheers at the Brisbane rally by telling members he would launch a High Court challenge to the law that enforces the administration.
“We will be doing a High Court challenge as a matter of urgency,and I’ll be the applicant,” he said.
“This is going to be the biggest challenge and the biggest fight that we’ve ever had,but we’re all up for it. You’ve got to get control of your union back. You will never allow a government takeover again.”
CFMEU members protest in Sydney on Tuesday.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
The ETU confirmed it would withhold $1 million from Labor and use some of that money to fund legal challenges to the government intervention,but it has not given any indication that it would use the money to support the Greens instead.
“We have deep concerns about the legislation and deep concerns about trial by parliament,” said ETU national secretary Michael Wright,who was not at the protests on Tuesday.
While the demonstrations did not trigger violence or arrests,the Brisbane protest featured a placard depicting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as Hitler and calling him an “AlboNazi”.
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In Sydney,sacked NSW CFMEU secretary Darren Greenfield,who faces charges of taking bribes from employers,urged the members to “vote these bastards[Labor] out”,while his former assistant secretary Rob Kera said,“We’re going to campaign for the absolute destruction of the Australian Labor Party.”
In Melbourne,former CFMEU official Christy Cain said the government had betrayed workers and said his friend John Setka – the former Victorian secretary of the union who was expelled from the Labor Party after a rift with Albanese two years ago – was there in spirit.
The crowd chanted:“Johnny Setka,here to stay!”
CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith,one of the few officials to stay on at the union after the administrator took charge,assured members at the Canberra rally that the union would survive the intervention.
Smith made no criticism of the government or the Labor Party but defended the union against the revelations by this masthead in detailed reporting over recent weeks.
“We are not a safe harbour for criminality,we are not a safe harbour for corruption,” he said.
“As long as you stick by and defend your union and defend trade unionism,defend your union,this is not the end.
“I’m going to continue to serve the members and put the best interests of the members forward on issues like Palestine,continue to be a good voice on issues like public housing,on taxation.