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- Building Bad
John Setka resigns immediately as head of CFMEU
By Nick McKenzie, Angus Thompson and Kieran Rooney
Powerful construction union boss John Setka has resigned facing a raft of explosive allegations about misconduct involving him and the CFMEU.
After he and his union were repeatedly questioned about the investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes, Setka announced on Friday evening he would quit immediately.
The first part of the months-long investigation was published in this masthead on Saturday morning, with more instalments through the weekend including on 60 Minutes on Sunday night.
In a statement on Friday night, the union said the decision was because of “ongoing and relentless stories written with multiple allegations whether true or not about this great union”.
Setka said he had “proudly served this union in the capacity of an official for close to 40 years and as secretary for the past 12 years.
“These stories have been constant, and while I’ve been the target of many of them, enough is enough. The ongoing false allegations continually do nothing but harm the work this great union does for its members.
“If my stepping down can stop these malicious attacks on our members and officials and allow this great union to continue to fight for our members, for their wages and conditions, so that they go home safely to their families each day, then I’m happy.”
Setka said he was leaving the union in the “very capable hands” of the national office and Victorian branch executive.
“To the members of the CFMEU, you have made me incredibly proud, and it has been an honour and privilege to be your secretary; for that I say thank you.”
Setka this year told delegates at a monthly meeting he would not renominate at the next union election late this year.
CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka.Credit: Eamon Gallagher
But his exit has been brought forward following questions from this masthead.
Assistant secretary Derek Christopher has been widely expected to be his successor.
When asked on Friday night if she would be commenting on Setka’s resignation, ACTU secretary Sally McManus replied, “No”.
One of the union movement’s most controversial figures, Setka famously fell out with then-opposition leader Anthony Albanese over comments he made about anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty.
Setka on Nine News on Friday night,Credit: Nine News
He was forced out of the Australian Labor Party in 2019, but relations improved in 2022 when he donated to the party’s federal election campaign.
The federal government went on to demolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which launched multiple legal cases against the CFMEU that cost the union millions of dollars.
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke last month accused Setka of thuggery and bullying after the state branch secretary threatened his members would delay AFL construction projects unless it fired its current head of umpiring, Stephen McBurney.
McBurney was the former Australian Building and Construction Commissioner.
Last month, Burke announced legislation that would allow the manufacturing division of the CFMEU to break away from the construction division, motivated by Setka’s behaviour.
“It became clear when we saw John Setka’s comments about the AFL that the construction division at the moment is not behaving in a way that lends itself towards constructive outcomes,” he said.
“The construction division, while we’d been considering what we might do, that attack on the AFL really made the decision clear and made the timing immediate.”
Burke has been contacted for comment on Setka’s resignation.
Opposition industrial relations spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said Setka’s resignation was welcome following his “appalling behaviour over many years”.
"Unfortunately there are many in the CFMEU who emulate Mr Setka and who exhibit similar behaviour. Unless this behaviour is stomped out, our construction sector will continue to be held back," she said.
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