Graffiti protest interrupts Queensland transport minister's press conference amid strikes
Updated . First published at
A graffiti artist has been arrested at a live press conference with Queensland's transport minister today, amid a standoff between Queensland Rail and transport unions.
Brent Mickelberg was speaking to media at South Brisbane Station today to announce reduced rail services when a man began spray-painting on a wall behind him.
It appears the man was intending to write the word 'QRUPT', which he was heard repeating as he was removed from the area by railway squad officers.
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A man is seen spray-painting a wall behind transport minister Brent Mickleberg. Nine
"Q-rupt, Q-rupt, Q-R-U-P-T, Q-rupt," he said.
Almost 300 services across the Queensland Rail network have been affected as wage negotiations with transport unions including the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have stalled.
"I want to acknowledge the frustration that commuters are feeling," Mickelberg said.
"I'm frustrated too, the government is frustrated as we work through these enterprise bargaining negotiations with unions.
"Maintenance has not been done directly as a consequence of union industrial action over a number of weeks and we simply don't have the rail rolling stock available to be able to operate the services that we need."
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The man is arrested by Railway Squad officers. Nine
Micklberg said there were enough trains to run a "customer-optimised timetable".
"The unions are very good at downplaying their actions by saying things like we're undertaking partial work bans or paperwork bans.
"They've also not been maintaining the trains, and that's why we are where we are."
The RBTU has previously insisted its rolling strike action would be "measured and deliberate".
The Fair Work Commission has called for an emergency meeting on Thursday to break the deadlock.
Police have confirmed a 30-year-old Herston man has been charged with one count each of wilful damage by graffiti, commit public nuisance, and possess graffiti instrument.
He will face court on May 13.
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