Thousands of construction workers across Australia have walked off the job this morning, taking part in a nationwide strike.

It is believed that the workers will be protesting in response to the federal government’s decision to put the construction branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) into administration.

The decision comes after ongoing criticism and investigation into the CFMEU’s construction sector, with former union workers suggesting alleged corruption and faults. Ongoing scathing reviews eventually got the better of CFMEU boss John Setka who resigned from his role last month.

The strike began this morning with major rallies in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Cairns and the ACT, that could significantly halt construction planning and implementation of builds across the nation. The Victorian government admits it doesn’t know what effect these protests will have on big build projects.

Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams doesn’t see any issues with the protests, as long as they are carried out in the right manner.

“Everyone has a right to protest,” she said.

“What they don’t have a right to do is conduct themselves in a way that causes harm to anyone and, of course, that would be our request for this action.”

Branch president of the ACT executive of the CFMEU Joshua Bolitho spoke at the rally in Canberra. He told the crowd that the government’s forced administration of the union has seen almost 300 members sacked “undemocratically”.

“They have gone after working class people, they have gone after our members, and they’ve gone after your wages and conditions,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his government’s actions towards the CFMEU as being in the union’s “best interests”.

“We respect the work that construction workers do,” he said.

“What we want to do, though, is to make sure that their union is free of corruption.”

Albanese warned that there would be “consequences” if workers walk off the job as part of the protests.

Photo: CFMEU protest march Queen Street Mall Brisbane by John Robert McPherson available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.