Contracted cleaners at Brisbane Airport allegedly sexually assaulted SERIOUS allegations of sexual assault against five workers at Brisbane Airport have been referred to police, after claims of the alleged abuse surfaced on social media. A petition uploaded yesterday to workers' rights website coworker.org outlined allegations that a man employed by an airport cleaning contractor forced himself on to five women in locked rooms and offered them lifts home with the expectation of sexual favours in return. The author of the petition, known as Carolina R on the website, said she was a witness to the alleged sexual assaults, and claimed the man fired women or threatened the women with deportation if they resisted. "I've seen so many young people come here to study, and many have taken on work with airport contractors to cover basic expenses," the petition states. Some of these contractors are fair-minded, lawful businesses. But too many contractors rely on shadowy business practices to keep costs low. It's in this environment that sexual harassment has been allowed to thrive. The petition calls on Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Julieanne Alroe to fire the contractor and review the airport's contracting policies to ensure the safety of its workers. A spokeswoman for the Brisbane Airport said the corporation was "appalled" by the allegations and she understood the staff member involved had been stood down by the contractor. "We were completely unaware of these allegations until they were published in the petition and social media yesterday afternoon," she said. We've asked the contractor concerned to make a full investigation and report to us in conjunction with the police. An Australian Federal Police spokeswoman said the matter was in the hands of the Queensland police, as sexual assaults were a state issue. Queensland police said they were aware of the allegations, but were unable to provide further comment.