This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
VICTORIAN construction workers will be forced to down tools for at least two weeks, a decision that could potentially add further tension between the industry and the state government, following Monday’s protests outside the headquarters of the CFMMEU.
Last night Treasurer Tim Pallas, Trade Minister Martin Pakula and Transport Minister Jacinta Allan briefed industry figures that work will stop across all construction sites. The decision was taken due to the low vaccination rates and rising COVID cases within the industry.
From 11:59PM Monday night, all construction projects in metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire will be closed, with a strictly limited exemption for workers to attend the sites to respond to an emergency or perform urgent and essential work to protect health and safety.
An amnesty will be put in place so that a limited number of workers can attend construction sites in order to shut them down safely.
All government construction projects in metropolitan Melbourne and relevant LGAs will be closed, with no new work to be completed – other than work required to make the site safe and secure.
All sites will be required to demonstrate compliance with public health orders prior to reopening – including the requirement for workers to show evidence of having had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they return to site on 5 October.
“We’ve been clear: if you don’t follow the rules, we won’t hesitate to take action – we have seen widespread non-compliance across the industry and that’s why we’re taking necessary steps to protect every single Victorian.” Pallas said.
“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.” the treasurer added.
In a statement released late last night the government said, “Recently, we have seen multiple outbreaks linked to construction. Concerns have also been raised, and remain, about the sector’s compliance with public health measures and directions.”
Last week the government banned lunch breaks in tea rooms as case numbers on construction sites continued to rise and random government inspections found 73% of sites were not compliant with health orders, compared to 19% in other industries.
Earlier Premier Daniel Andrews said workers must get a first dose or have a vaccination booking by September 23 to get on site. Those caps would increase to 50% on October 26 if workers have all had their first dose vaccination.
But the policy has seen tensions boil over with the construction industry, which has been permitted to remain open during the pandemic.
Meanwhile union boss Setka told 3AW yesterday, “We were blindsided by what happened and people are obviously not impressed.
“We’ve had numerous conversations since Friday to try and get some of these guidelines change in regards to amenities, smoko sheds and a whole heap of other things with little success, and people are not happy about that.
“We’ve got to understand that there is some people out there that have a genuine concern and that’s their right.” Setka said.
Yesterday more than 100 people rallied outside the headquarters of the CFMMEU to protest the “no jab no job” policy.
Several were arrested after union officials, including Setka tried to address the crowd and were forced to retreat inside the building after protesters grew angry.
Premier Andrews said the protests do not work.
“I have nothing but respect for the people who do the building of our city,” Andrews said. “But there would be a whole bunch of people at home because their industry is shut and they would be scratching their heads about why anyone would be protesting about being open,”
“None of the decisions are made lightly about the rules that apply on a building site – a good deal of work goes into that – and I would ask people to follow those rules.
“Frankly, if protests worked against this virus, we would be in a very different position, wouldn’t we.” the premier said.
