Queensland Labor politician Grace Grace has endured particularly awkward chatter after pranksters used an electronic billboard behind her to display anti-Labour messages.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace spoke at a protest outside Parliament House in Brisbane this week in support of the addition of female toilets at CMFEU construction sites.
Unbeknownst to her, a large LED screen above her head moved between slides saying Labor should be “thrown in the bath” and that the party is breaking its promises.
The protest was organized by the CFMEU, but it is unclear who was responsible for the gaffe of displaying them during Grace’s speech as Premier Steven Miles announced the state budget just meters away inside parliament.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Grace appeared to take the political stunt in her stride, saying she is “always happy to talk to unions about changes we can make to ensure employers provide better facilities for their staff”.
Labor MP Grace Grace gave a speech outside Parliament House in Brisbane on Tuesday as anti-Labor messages were displayed above her head on an LED sign.
Ms Grace, Minister of Labor for Industrial Affairs, was there to support the installation of women’s toilets at CMFEU workplaces.
Grace did not comment on the messages displayed behind her during the speech and instead focused on the fact that the Labor Party was trying to make history.
“I am proud to be part of a government that has implemented nationally leading reforms and protections for workers,” she said.
‘We are currently consulting on changes to regulations that will ensure better amenities for women on construction sites, including designated toilets.
“When it is introduced, it will be a first for Australia.”
A Liberal Party spokesman said the gaffe was “significant”, especially given it was also budget day.
“It’s a pretty big budget day gaffe by one of the Government’s most senior ministers, the day Labor is trying to promise the world to Queenslanders,” the spokesperson said.
The CMFEU organized the protest to demand Equal access to toiletries on Queensland construction sites.
The workers who joined were mostly women and carried signs showing a used tampon with the message “Where can I put this?”
The Prime Minister was forced to walk past the same protesters on his way to parliament before Grace’s speech later that morning.
Premier Steven Miles walked past protesters on his way to Parliament to deliver the state budget.
Grace told Daily Mail Australia she was always happy to support unionized workers and fight for women’s rights despite the signs.
In April, Miles faced pressure to increase women’s rights in the workplace after gifting the industry a huge package of benefits in the form of her government’s Best Practice Industry Conditions policy earlier this year. anus.
Among the benefits delivered to the unions were wage increases of more than $10 an hour and a promise to install women’s bathrooms in all workplaces in the state.
At the time, Miles faced backlash for the numerous benefits he immediately provided to male workers by claiming that women would soon see the benefits as well.
‘This includes requirements, for example, that they have women’s toilets on site. Therefore, one of the key objectives of our projects is to get more women into these industries,” said Miles. he told the courier email.
Months later, many workplaces still do not have women’s bathrooms across the state.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Miles and the CMFEU for comment.
