Queensland Labor conference delegates have put pressure on the Commonwealth to end the administration of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), prompting a factional spat.
A motion, which was moved at the event in Brisbane on Sunday, called for the union to be returned to “democratic control as soon as possible”.
Members of the Right faction of the party staged a walkout when it was announced, to jeers and shouts of “shame” from the opposing Left faction.
A Right faction member told the ABC the motion was “inappropriate”, and the walkout was staged in solidarity with the Australian Workers Union, whose members have had numerous run-ins with the CFMEU.
The non-binding motion then passed with the support of the delegates still in the room.
An inquiry into the Queensland branch of the CFMEU held public hearings in Brisbane earlier this month. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Walkout ‘juvenile’
Electrical Trades Union Queensland Secretary Peter Ong, who spoke in support of the motion, labelled the walkout “juvenile”.
The beleaguered CFMEU was forced into administration last year by the federal government, following allegations of links to organised crime in Victoria.
A report released earlier this year alleged the Queensland branch had a systemic culture of violence and misogyny, which it used to further its political and financial agenda.
A Queensland commission of inquiry into alleged corruption and criminal links within the CFMEU is currently ongoing.
That was launched by the state LNP government.
Public hearings begin for inquiry into Qld branch of CFMEU
Precedent ‘can be weaponised’
Mr Ong told the conference the forced administration risked creating a “slippery slope”.
“The introduction of the administration legislation removed the fundamentals of our judicial system, the presumption of innocence, a fair trial, and natural justice,” he said.
“Democratically elected officials were forced to resign or be removed and ruled ineligible for future union roles.
“The precedent created by this forced administration can be weaponised against all unions, and is something that all union leaders should be concerned about.”
While non-binding, the motion gives a sense of the opinions of the party’s rank-and-file members.
It came after a similarly fiery motion was debated and passed on Saturday, expressing support for young transgender people affected by the state government’s pause on public doctors prescribing puberty blockers for new adolescent patients.
An amendment called for people diagnosed with gender dysphoria to be given counselling before accessing treatment, but that was ultimately voted down.