Australia

Painfully awkward moment oblivious senior politician gives a protest speech in front of two VERY embarrassing signs

Queensland Labor politician Grace Grace has endured a particularly awkward speaking engagement after pranksters used an electronic sign behind her to display anti-Labor messages.

Ms Grace, Minister for Industrial Relations, spoke at a protest outside Parliament House in Brisbane this week in support of adding women’s toilets to CMFEU construction sites.

Unbeknownst to her, a large LED screen above her head slid between the slides, showing that Labor needed to be ‘taken to the toilet’ and that the party was not keeping promises.

The protest was organized by the CFMEU, but it is not clear who was responsible for the blunder of showing them during Ms Grace’s speech, as Prime Minister Steven Miles announced the state budget just meters away in Parliament.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Grace appeared to take the political stunt in stride, saying she was ‘always keen to talk to unions about changes we can make to ensure employers can provide better facilities for their staff’.

Senior Labor MP Grace Grace gave a speech outside Brisbane Parliament on Tuesday as anti-Labor messages were displayed above her head on an LED sign

Senior Labor MP Grace Grace gave a speech outside Brisbane Parliament on Tuesday as anti-Labor messages were displayed above her head on an LED sign

Ms Grace, Labor Minister for Industrial Affairs, was on hand to support the installation of women's toilets in CMFEU workplaces

Ms Grace, Labor Minister for Industrial Affairs, was on hand to support the installation of women’s toilets in CMFEU workplaces

Ms Grace made no comment on the messages shown behind her during the speech and instead focused on the fact that Labor was trying to make history.

“I am proud to be part of an administration that has implemented industry-leading reforms and worker protections,” she said.

‘We are currently consulting on changes to regulations that will ensure better facilities for women on construction sites, including dedicated toilets.

“If introduced, this will be an Australian first.”

A Liberal Party spokesman said the blunder was “major”, especially considering it was also Budget Day.

“It’s a pretty big Budget Day blunder from one of the government’s most senior ministers on the day Labor is trying to promise the Queenslander world,” the spokesperson said.

The CMFEU organized the protest upon request equal access to bathroom facilities on construction sites in Queensland.

The employees who participated were mainly women and carried signs with a used tampon on it and the text ‘where can I put this?’.

The Prime Minister was forced to walk past the same protesters on his way to Parliament before Ms Grace’s speech earlier in the morning.

Prime Minister Steven Miles walked past demonstrators on his way to parliament to hand over the state budget

Prime Minister Steven Miles walked past demonstrators on his way to parliament to hand over the state budget

Ms Grace told Daily Mail Australia that despite the signs, she was always happy to support union workers and fight for women's rights

Ms Grace told Daily Mail Australia that despite the signs, she was always happy to support union workers and fight for women’s rights

In April, Miles faced pressure to increase women’s rights in workplaces after giving the industry a host of perks earlier this year in the form of his government’s Best Practice Industry Condition policy.

Benefits for the union’s traditions included wage increases of more than $10 an hour and a promise to install women’s restrooms in all workplaces in the state.

At the time, Mr Miles faced backlash over the many benefits it immediately brought to male employees, saying women would soon see the benefits too.

‘For example, there are requirements that they must have ladies’ toilets on location. So one of the key objectives of our projects is to get more women into these sectors,” said Mr Miles told the Courier Post.

Months later, many workplaces in the state have yet to have women’s restrooms.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Miles and the CMFEU for comment.

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