ETU demands Transport Minister's sacking over TMR lockout
Explosive revelations deathtrap intersections named
ETU Calls for Sacking of Transport Minister Over Electrical Safety Failures.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is demanding the immediate sacking of Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg, citing gross incompetence in his handling of low level protected industrial action involving critical electrical employees.
The crisis stems from the ongoing lockout of Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) workers who are first responders responsible for attending emergency call outs maintaining the electrical infrastructure on our roads. The ETU warns that the decision to lock out these employees and engage sub-standard contractors has left the public exposed to potentially fatal electrical hazards.
ETU State Secretary Peter Ong has accused Minister Mickelberg of turning a blind eye to dodgy practices from contractors engaged by his department, alleging that these operators are failing to provide electrical work that meets the mandatory safety standards from AS3000.
ETU investigations into allegations of non-compliant electrical work undertaken yesterday identified a number of intersections across South-East Queensland that have the potential to expose the public to a dangerous electrical event that could cause serious injury, harm or death.
ETU State organiser Liam Sharkey said, "Inspections of multiple traffic signal sites, showed not only gross incompetence, but that mandatory electrical safety procedures required under AS3000 legislation appear to have been completely bypassed."
"Specifically, there is no evidence that critical legislative testing such as earth continuity tests or insulation resistance tests has been carried out. These are non-negotiable safety checks that must be completed before any electrical installation can be considered safe for energisation." Mr Sharkey said.
Peter Ong stated, "When ETU officials requested CCTV footage relevant to the issue, they were told the request had gone all the way to the top before being refused. The department are more than happy to jeopardise members of the publics lives in a bid to bully, intimidate and harass their workers for taking low-level lawful industrial action. TMR are failing at every level and that includes the minister, he has to go."
The following intersections have been flagged as potentially electrically unsafe, with risks including serious injury or death to members of the public:
- Southport Nerang Rd & Kamholtz Crt
- Nerang Broadbeach Rd & Lakeview Dr
- Mount Lindesay Hwy & Green Rd
- Wembley Rd & Logan City Shopping Centre entrance
- Beenleigh Redland Bay Rd & Mt Cotton Rd
David Crisafulli must step in and pull this rouge department into line before a member of the public is seriously injured or killed.
