Key Points
- Greens housing spokesperson has been criticised by Labor for attending CFMEU protests in Brisbane.
- Labor has highlighting the offensive images of the Prime Minister in the crowd.
- The Greens say they do not condone either the imagery or allegations against the union.
The Greens have defended one of their MPs speaking at a Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) rally surrounded by anti-Albanese signs and images.
On Tuesday, Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather joined more than 60,000 workers who downed their tools in capital cities to protest the forced administration of the construction arm of their union.
As he addressed the crowd about the "draconian" laws, he stood behind a cutout depicting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a coffin, with "public enemy No.1" written across the top.
The appearance has drawn sharp criticism from Labor frontbenchers, as they highlighted other banners labelling the prime minister a Nazi and likening him to Adolf Hitler.
Over 60,000 tradies walked off the job to participate in rallies across the country. Source: AAP / Jone Searle
"Of course, I don’t agree with those signs, they’re offensive," he said in a statement to SBS News.
"However, it’s ridiculous to expect a speaker to audit every sign that appears at a rally with thousands of people in attendance."
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt equated attendance with support for both the messages as well as the union at large which faces criminal allegations.
The cutout at the rally. Source: SBS News
"The fact that we’ve seen a Greens MP share a stage with an organisation that has condoned violence, organised crime and misogyny, I think, says a lot about him and about the Greens party."
Chandler-Mather condemns the allegations against the CFMEU but said it was critical to support the thousands of construction workers who faced no allegations of wrongdoing and would ultimately feel the effects of a bill rushed through parliament.
"Senator Watt is desperate to focus on a game of gotcha to distract from the fact that his government is flagrantly disregarding the rule of law and separation of powers and to avoid genuinely engaging with the critique of his government," he said.
During a National Press Club address on Wednesday, Greens leader Adam Bandt said the party endorsed an investigation into the serious allegations and that Chandler-Mather was not defending any officials facing charges.
Last week, legislation giving the relevant minister the power to appoint an administrator to the construction arm of the CFMEU passed the Senate with support from the Opposition.
The union has criticised the law, saying it stripped members of the right to a fair process and has flagged a legal fight.
The union's construction arm is in administration for a minimum of three years and up to five, and officials who frustrate or obstruct the process face hefty fines and jail time.
With additional reporting from AAP
