A union blockade at Melbourne's port has been ordered to stop to allow millions of dollars worth of goods to be released for delivery.
Unions have been picketing the Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) for weeks over the sacking of a Maritime Union of Australia member who was denied security clearance because of a criminal conviction.
In the Victorian Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Michael McDonald ordered union representatives to abandon the picket line that has left 1000 shipping containers full of goods in limbo.
Union members are not allowed within 100 metres of the dock for any other purpose than working or using public roads, the order states.
The head of the terminal said the decision was a "victory for the whole community against selfish trade union interests".
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"The court's decision indicates a conspiracy, led by the MUA and the CFMEU, to harm and damage VICT," CEO Anders Dommestrup said in a statement on Tuesday.
"VICT will continue to assess the damage that has been done to our business. We will be seeking to recoup those damages and others will be doing the same."
Mr Dommestrup said the union offered virtually no defence for their "illegal behaviours" because there was no defence.
Terminal operators expect the picket to be lifted immediately or further steps will be taken.
Preceding the court order the Victorian government said it was powerless to intervene in the dispute but had made repeated offers to be directly involved in negotiations.
Premier Daniel Andrews said claims in the media that the blockade was preventing essential medical equipment, like EpiPens, from being delivered was being used to "scare people".
"EpiPens are in fact not in containers in the Port of Melbourne, or any other port for that matter, because they come in via an airport," Mr Andrews told parliament.
"So I would advise those who seek to scare the community against doing just that."
The MUA was ordered to stop picketing the terminal more than a week ago, but other unions took up the fight, culminating in hundreds of unionists marching on the dock last Friday.
The terminal said the action threatened more than $100 million worth of business, with one ship sent to Adelaide and others being diverted to alternative Victorian ports.
There have also been more than 1000 shipping containers waiting for import and export, including $45,000 worth of pears, seafood, medication and milk for China, stuck at the facility.
