Construction union members at a national conference have performed a haka in support of official John Lomax, who is accused of blackmail.
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About 500 members clapped and cheered while giving Lomax a guard of honour on Wednesday morning on the Gold Coast.
A group of Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union members then performed the Maori traditional dance in support of the former Canberra Raiders enforcer.
Lomax, 49, also received a hero's welcome when he arrived at the ACT Magistrates Court last month on a charge of blackmail. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
The CFMEU ACT organiser was charged during the Canberra sittings of the royal commission into unions in July.
It is alleged that Lomax forced a Canberra painting company to sign a union enterprise bargaining agreement in April last year.
The owner allegedly believed he would be blocked from working in the ACT and NSW if he did not sign.
It is alleged the owner suffered a financial loss as a result because the agreement required him to pay his workers higher wages.
Lomax is due to reappear before the court next month.
