Construction sites to fall silent around Australia for major strike
Thousands of construction sites around the country will come to a halt this morning as tens of thousands of workers down tools and take to the streets in a nationwide strike.
It's understood the workers will be protesting against the federal government's decision to put the construction branch of the CFMEU into administration.
The strike will begin at 11am with coordinated rallies in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Cairns.
In Sydney, workers will march on Parliament House.
In Melbourne, members will gather outside the Trades Hall on Lygon Street and will march to the Fair Work Commission on Exhibition Street.
The Victorian government said it could not confirm what impacts the protest would have on the big build projects.
"Everyone has a right to protest," Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said yesterday.
"What they don't have a right to do is conduct themselves in a way that causes harm to anyone else and, of course, that would be our request for this action."
Police are warning there will be traffic diversions in place along with a police presence.
"General duties police will have a visible presence at the event to ensure community safety," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
"A number of traffic management points will be in place throughout the CBD between approximately 10.30am and 1pm, so we ask that people be patient, plan their journey and allow extra travel time.
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"Victoria Police respects the right for individuals to protest lawfully, however we ask they do so peacefully, without impacting the broader community."
Almost 300 officials have been stood down.
The move comes after new revelations aired by 60 Minutes and Nine newspapers that more than 20 members of the CFMEU have been stood down following allegations the union has been infiltrated by criminal figures.
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