Cross River Rail staff removed after reporting blockade threats
Three middle managers were reassigned after reporting threats from union members during a 2023 blockade of the Cross River Rail project.
In July 2023, a serious fall at the Boggo Road station site triggered a CFMEU-led blockade of the $9.83 billion Cross River Rail project. Site managers Shane Rasmussen and Peter Bennett reported being confronted by groups of people carrying weapons, including machetes and baseball bats.
Rasmussen and Bennett were told the confronters knew where Rasmussen lived and would "come and get" him. One manager was told by colleagues that firearms were present, though none saw a gun.
Despite these threats, Bennett said a human resources director told him not to call police before the site was evacuated. After work resumed, Rasmussen and Bennett were reassigned to the Milton office with no explanation.
Both later sought support for mental health effects. Commissioner Stuart Wood said it seemed "extraordinary" that the pair were "abandoned" by management.
- $9.83 billion
- Project cost
- July 25, 2023
- Fall incident date
- Three middle managers
- Managers reassigned
- Machetes, baseball bats, firearm mentioned
- Weapons reported
Why it mattersThe incident shows how major infrastructure projects can fail to protect managers reporting serious safety threats, raising questions about duty of care on large taxpayer-funded builds.
AustraliaQueensland's $9.83 billion Cross River Rail project is Brisbane's largest infrastructure works; how the project handled safety reporting affects standards for future major construction in Australia.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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