A news report in the Warrnambool Standard quoted a union official as saying this was the first time new industrial relations laws had been enforced in such a way.

Those workers applying for holidays from December 22 until January 15 were reportedly sacked because Technip – the construction contractor – wanted employees back onsite on January 3.

Sacked employees were also reportedly each threatened with a $28,000 fine if they protested.

The previous day, the same newspaper reported that the Technip site manager denied the Christmas holidays had been cancelled and said the project would be completed by the time workers wanted to come back on January 22.

Woodside has previously advised that construction of the Otway gas plant was due for completion by the end of the first quarter.