Builders Labourers Federation

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The BLF logo makes use of the Eureka Flag.
The BLF logo makes use of the Eureka Flag.

The Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) was an Australian trade union organisation which existed from 1911 until 1972, and from 1976 until 1986, when it was permanently deregistered in various Australian States by the federal Labor government and some state governments of the time. This occurred after Victorian State Secretary Norm Gallagher was jailed for corruption and a Royal Commission had occurred into the building industry. Today former BLF members are members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU).

The BLF currently exists in Queensland as a state registered union of the Construction division of the CFMEU, however, the Queensland BLF was never part of the radical, militant and sometimes corrupt organisation which the southern-states BLF was perceived to be.

The BLF fought successful campaigns which became known as the green bans against development projects which it viewed as harmful to the built and natural environment of Sydney. These campaigns included blocking plans to redevelop The Rocks area, Kelly's Bush in Hunters Hill and Centennial Park (in anticipation for the 2000 Olympics, in the 1980s). The Green Bans are now commonly recognised as directly responsible for saving areas of Sydney with substantial heritage value. They also took up other causes, such as Aboriginal rights, anti-war campaigns and support for pensioners.

The BLF slogan is Dare to struggle, Dare to win.

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