Cross River Rail worker tells inquiry he 'saw red' in brawl with CFMEU members

A Cross River Rail worker, Soane Tuakalau, testified before a commission of inquiry into the CFMEU that a brawl at a Dutton Park worksite began when the union's members pushed a female colleague of his. The incident occurred on May 1, 2024, when Mr. Tuakalau, part of a group of around 10 workers, approached the entry on Noble Street to enter the site.

However, they were confronted by a group of around 20 CFMEU men, many of whom were wearing balaclavas to conceal their identities. Mr. Tuakalau recounted that one of his female colleagues, Sky Lewis, was pushed during the confrontation. This act, which he saw as a violation of his colleague's safety, prompted Mr. Tuakalau to strike back, resulting in him seeing red.

A video of the brawl showed Mr. Tuakalau, wearing a blue Nike cap, being struck in the head by a union member, causing him to lose consciousness momentarily. The fight then spilled out onto Noble Street during the morning rush hour, with Mr. Tuakalau reportedly subjected to racist jeers from the union members while waiting for the police.

After the incident, Mr. Tuakalau claimed that the union made him and other workers "hunted," and that union members continued to target him. One of those allegedly targeted after the Dutton Park incident was Fou Ah Lam, who had entered the picket line on May 1 and punched a CFMEU member in retaliation for Lewis being pushed. Following his encounter with the union, Mr. Ah Lam reported several more confrontations with CFMEU members, who seemed determined to target him.