The Property Council of Australia calls on the CFMEU to halt its illegal blockades of the Emporium, Footscray and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre sites.
It also calls on the union to rule out re-imposing any blockade on the Emporium development or associated sites in the future.
“The CFMEU needs to comply with the law and orders of the Supreme Court of Victoria,” said Property Council chief executive, Peter Verwer.
“The rules of civil society must apply to construction sites.”
“The CFMEU cannot opt out of laws that don’t suit its opportunistic and cynically militant agenda.”
“The CFMEU union leaders concede the Emporium blockade is illegal and yet persist in flouting the Supreme Court’s determination.”
“Despite agreeing to a new enterprise agreement, the CFMEU has publicly declared that a deal is not a deal and that it will treat laws as a multiple choice exercise.”
“The Gyles and Cole royal commissions concluded that a prior generation of construction union leaders actively inspired a culture of contempt for civil society.”
“This led to criminal behaviour and poor productivity that did not serve the interests of hard-working union members or the community “
“A new generation of union leaders should decisively reject such unacceptable tactics.”
“The construction industry is already suffering hugely in the post-GFC environment.”
“Construction activity is at record lows - workers, subbies and trade suppliers are suffering tremendous stress.”
“Investors need certainty if they are to continue to inject job-creating capital.”
“The Property Council applauds the Victorian Government for backing the broader community interest by joining the Supreme Court legal action against the CFMEU.”
“The union’s actions provide a powerful case for the urgent re-instatement of a construction industry commission dedicated to restoring and maintaining order across the sector.”
Media contact:
Peter Verwer, Chief Executive, Property Council of Australia
(02 9033 1926 or 0407 463 842)
