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Staff Shocked And Frightened By 'Cowardly' Drive-By Shooting At CFMEU Office

Shots were blasted into the Melbourne office around 3:00am.
Shots have been fired at the CFMEU HQ in Swanston Street.
Penny Stephens/Fairfax
Shots have been fired at the CFMEU HQ in Swanston Street.

The boss of Victorian branch of Australia's main construction union, the CFMEU, has labelled an overnight drive-by shooting a "cowardly act" after a gun was repeatedly fired into his Melbourne office around 3:00am, shattering the front glass door and several upper glass windows.

No one was injured, but staff are said to be "shocked and frightened", after at least four, possibly five, shots were fired by a man into the Swanston Street building.

Shots have been fired at the CFMEU HQ in Swanston Street
Penny Stephens/Fairfax
Shots have been fired at the CFMEU HQ in Swanston Street

The gunman fired the shots with what a witness described as a "hunting gun" before driving off.

Victoria Police are investigating with the motive for the shooting unknown at this stage.

Detective Sergeant Haydn Beale told reporters it was a "dangerous and concerning thing to occur" close to the Melbourne CBD.

CFMEU state secretary John Setka said the shooting was a "cowardly act," while the Victorian branch of the CFMEU released a short statement.

"The union can confirm that a number of shots were fired into the offices of the Victorian branch in Carlton," a spokesperson said.

"Our priority is to look after the staff at the office who are shocked and frightened."

Shots have been fired at the CFMEU HQ in Swanston Street
Penny Stephens/Faorfax
Shots have been fired at the CFMEU HQ in Swanston Street

"Thankfully no one was harmed and we can confirm that all staff are safe."

Police are calling for further witnesses to the shooting and are seeking surveillance vision.

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