Construction industry closed, protests in Melbourne

The Victorian Government has closed the construction industry for two weeks, due to COVID transmission concerns.

The closure began at 11.59 pm, on Monday, 20 September, with the government stating that the action was taken due to case numbers, transmission risk and reduced compliance.

There have been protests held in the streets of Melbourne and an attack on the CFMEU Victorian branch office in response to this directive, which the union has condemned. It appears some construction workers have also taken exception to a directive that requires them to have received a COVID vaccination before returning to job sites.

In a press release about the violence that unfolded at its office, the CFMEU stated: “This crowd was heavily infiltrated by neo-Nazis and other right wing extremist groups, and it is clear that a minority of those who participated were actual union members.

“We thank the officials, delegates and rank-and-file members of the union who came to protect their office and their officials, and note that a number of people received minor injuries from acts of violence including the throwing of bottles.”

The government said there have been multiple COVID outbreaks linked to construction, given that construction workers are a mobile workforce who may work across multiple sites and travel longer distances to work than other permitted workers. Concerns have also been raised, and remain, about the sector’s compliance with public health measures and directions.

Also concerning is the transmission risk and geographic spread of construction cases, which led to a number of important public health measures including preventing workers crossing the regional/metropolitan border — but the government has said more action is required to stop the spread.

“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,” said Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas.

“We put the industry on notice just a week ago. We have seen appalling behaviour onsite and on our streets, and now we’re acting decisively and without hesitation.”

The immediate shutdown 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.

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 Chief Health Officer Directions prior to reopening — including the requirement for workers to show evidence to their employer of having had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they return to site on 5 October. From 11.59 pm on 23 September, all construction workers require at least their first dose of the vaccine. This means that before workers return to site, they must comply with this new requirement.

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.

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