By LIAM DURKIN
CONTROVERSIAL Victorian CFMEU Secretary, John Setka resigned last week.
Mr Setka’s resignation was effective immediately from last Friday.
The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union official had served the role of secretary for the last 12 years.
Mr Setka cited “malicious attacks” from the media as his reason for stepping down.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The move comes amid rising noise underworld figures have been linked to major construction projects in Victoria and New South Wales under Mr Setka’s leadership. Allegations of corruption have never been far from the union, with the CFMEU commonly thought to be one of the most corrupt unions in the country.
The Age reported bikies and criminals doubling as union delegates have been employed on state government funded projects.
Locally, CFMEU flags have been a fixture at construction sites across the region.
Mr Setka was a familiar face to many local members, and a vocal figure whenever the CFMEU was centre stage.
He did however have a chequered history, and was expelled from the Labor party in 2019 for making disparaging remarks, and was placed on a good behaviour bond that same year after pleading guilty to harassing his wife.
With Labor traditionally aligned with workers unions, the division between Mr Setka and the party has been telling.
Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese certainly left the public in no doubt as to what he thought about Mr Setka’s resignation.
“Good,” was the Prime Minister’s succinct response.
“John Setka has no legitimate place in the Labor movement.”
