Court hits CFMEU with worksite protest restrictions

CFMEU workers have been ordered to stay 15m away from Cross River Rail site entrances in Brisbane. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

CFMEU members have been ordered not to take photos or videos of people at a major Queensland project's worksite entrances after protests flared.

The Federal Court has placed restrictions on the union's members at Cross River Rail sites across Brisbane following industrial action this week.

CPB Contractors, responsible for Cross River Rail construction, successfully secured the Federal Court order late on Thursday.

CFMEU protest signs.
CFMEU members could face jail time if they film anyone entering Cross River Rail sites in Brisbane.

Justice Berna Collier barred CFMEU members from going to or remaining within 15 metres of entrances at the 16 Cross River Rail sites, with limited exceptions.

They include union members being able to enter sites "for the purpose of performing work”.

Justice Collier also ordered CFMEU members be restrained from photographing or recording any person or vehicle entering or leaving a Cross River Rail worksite.

The ruling came into effect from 9am on Friday.

Anyone who breaches the orders will be liable for punishment including imprisonment, the ruling warned.

The action was brought by CPB Contractors following industrial action.

CFMEU construction workers on Tuesday held protests at Cross River Rail sites in Brisbane after enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations broke down.

The union is seeking changes including pay raises for traffic controllers, managing the risk of heat stress and preventing the exploitation of labour-hire workers.

The Federal Court orders will be reassessed next week.

The CFMEU has been under fire nationally, with the construction division accused of organised crime links, taking kickbacks and standover worksite tactics.

Federal Labor has cut ties with the union and indefinitely suspended affiliation between the construction division and the party's NSW, Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian branches.

Moves are also underway to appoint an independent administrator to oversee the CFMEU following the allegations.

The Queensland government has welcomed the state's branch being included in a potential administration appointment to stamp out any possible intimidation claims.

But CFMEU's Queensland branch said the allegations are unproven and claimed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was overreaching.

“(Mr Albanese's) agenda is to destroy anyone on the Left who is willing to speak up, whether it is people in parliament, his own party or unionists," Queensland and Northern Territory secretary Michael Ravbar said in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ravbar called for an investigation into the civil construction industry.

“Albanese is a chameleon who does not understand Queensland. He is a political liability in this state," he said.

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