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Victorian construction industry enters partial shut down after protests

Rhiannon Tuffield and Catie McLeodNCA NewsWire
Construction workers protest mandatory vaccinations outside the CFMEU HQ in Melbourne. Rob Leeson
Camera IconConstruction workers protest mandatory vaccinations outside the CFMEU HQ in Melbourne. Rob Leeson Credit: News Corp Australia

The Victorian construction industry will be closed in locked down parts of the state for two weeks in response to violent protests in Melbourne.

The Master Builders Association of Victoria has confirmed the snap shut down of all building and construction worksites in metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and the Mitchell Shire from 11.59pm on Monday.

In a statement on Monday night, the MBAV said its representatives had met with Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas, Trade Minister Martin Pakula and Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan.

“We are sending this message ahead of any formal (government) announcement,” the statement said.

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“Whilst the period is set for two weeks, the restrictions will only be in force until each of those local government areas are in restrictions for”.

CFMEU Protest
Camera IconConstruction workers protest mandatory vaccinations outside the CFMEU HQ in Melbourne. Rob Leeson Credit: News Corp Australia

Ballarat’s lockdown is expected to end on Wednesday, while the Surf Coast, Ballarat and the Mitchell Shire entered a week-long lockdown on Sunday night.

The Andrews government released its own statement later on Monday night.

“The immediate shut down action is being taken to reduce movement, minimise transmission and allow for the entire industry to appropriately adapt to the chief health officer directions, including increasing vaccination rates,” it said.

“The Victorian government will work with stakeholders over coming days to determine the best way for the industry to show full compliance with the Directions.”

All sites will be required to demonstrate compliance with prior to reopening, including the requirement for workers to show evidence to their employer of having had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine before they return to site on October 5.

“We put the industry on notice just a week ago, we have seen appalling behaviour on site and on our streets, and now we're acting decisively and without hesitation,” Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas said.

The MBAV said the Victorian government had advised the shut down was a result of an increase in Covid-19 transmissions in the building and construction industry, combined with the riots in Melbourne on Monday.

A violent brawl took place in the city on Monday after hundreds of people descended on union headquarters to protest mandatory vaccinations for construction workers.

Riot police were called in as doors and windows were smashed by protesters who tried to storm CFMEU headquarters.

Protest organisers were at a loss to control the angry mob.

CFMEU Protest
Camera IconConstruction workers protest mandatory vaccinations outside the CFMEU HQ in Melbourne. Rob Leeson Credit: News Corp Australia

The Victorian Building Industry Group of Unions on Monday night released its own statement, criticising the government‘s “unrealistic and blunt approach” to coronavirus regulations including mandatory vaccinations.

“The Building Industry Group of Unions maintains the view that the construction industry would have voluntarily reached high levels of vaccination without a heavy-handed approach,” a BIGU spokesman said.

“This heavy-handed mandate by the chief health officer, which was implemented with no notice, has only served to drive many people toward the Anti-Vax Movement.

“We call on the Andrews government, chief health officer, and the Department of Health to come to a sensible return to work scenario that accommodates the reality of our industry and respects the workers who have built this city.”

The state government held a series of high-level talks to consider its response to the chaos on Monday.

“Today’s activities by the extremists and the people who are being manipulated by the extremists don’t really help when you’re trying to persuade the health authorities to keep the industry working under Covid-safe conditions,” CFMEU boss Dave Noonan told ABC radio.

“We never want to see the industry shut because it hurts people economically.”

CFMEU PROTEST
Camera IconPolice respond to violent protests outside CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne. David Geraghty Credit: News Corp Australia

“We would appeal to those people who may have had their real, legitimate concerns and fears manipulated by those people to think carefully about whether attacking other construction workers and our offices is really something that is consistent with saying that you care about health and safety,” Mr Noonan said.

“It’s not, it’s a disgraceful thing to do, and they should walk away from those extremists who have got no interest in our industry, no interest in our values and communities.

“They should disown them and have nothing to do with them, because they’re only going to bring ruin to our industry.”

The Australian Council of Trade Unions released a statement on Monday condemning the attack, describing the actions as “reprehensible”.

“Workers across the country are under extreme pressure because of the threat to life and health the pandemic poses, and the restrictions health experts deem necessary to save lives,” a spokesperson said in a statement, citing violent right-wing extremists and “anti-vaccination activists”.

“Those exploiting this pressure and seeking to divide people are a danger to us all.

“Unions put the safety of working people first.

“High vaccination rates are the only way for us to get out of lockdown, save jobs and get back to work in safe workplaces and communities.

“Australian unions will never be intimidated by violence or threats from extremists who refuse to put the good of the community first.”

Days earlier, tradies staged rallies across Melbourne to protest worksite tearooms being shut down.

Construction is one of the few industries that has remained open throughout most of Victoria’s coronavirus lockdowns.

The state government last week announced construction workers would no longer be permitted to cross between metropolitan and regional Victoria, in an attempt to curb outbreaks at work sites.

Originally published as Victorian construction industry enters partial shut down after protests

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