Arabic version: عامل في كروس ريفر ريل يروي شجاراً أمام التحقيق

According to ABC News, Cross River Rail labourer Soane Tuakalau told a commission of inquiry into the CFMEU that he “saw red” after being struck in the head during a confrontation at the Dutton Park worksite on May 1, 2024.

Tuakalau, who was a CFMEU member at the time, said he had been told the union planned to form a picket line and prevent workers from entering the site. He said he needed to work to support his family. He approached the Noble Street entry with about 10 workers, including three women, and said they faced about 20 CFMEU men blocking access.

He told the inquiry the workers were physically restrained and that colleague Sky Lewis was pushed. Tuakalau said seeing Lewis, whom he described as being like “a little sister” to the team, triggered the men in the group. Video shown to the inquiry depicted him attempting to break up a confrontation before punches were thrown and the fight moved onto Noble Street during the morning commute.

Tuakalau said he did not remember what happened after he was hit until he had calmed down. He also told the hearing he faced racist jeers while waiting for police and was told, “wait until you get out, we will stab you”. He said workers who stood up to the CFMEU after the incident were “hunted” by the union. Lewis also gave evidence and was reported to have been so shaken that a colleague later met and escorted her to work.

Another worker, Fou Ah Lam, told the inquiry he forced his way through the picket line and punched a CFMEU member after seeing Lewis pushed. He said he later had hostile encounters with CFMEU members and alleged that two men associated with the union attacked him as he was preparing to leave for work. Ah Lam said CCTV captured the incident and that one assailant struck him with a pipe.