Victorian union boss issues a statement defending himself a day before a court decides his fate in the Labor party

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The embattled union boss John Setka has hit out at the “politically motivated” attack on his position ahead of a court ruling on Tuesday that could sever his ties to the Labor party.

In a statement issued with his wife, Emma Walters, on Monday, Setka blamed an “individual’s political agenda” for the attempt to unseat him as head of the construction union in Victoria.

“The continued politically motivated attack on myself and the lack of support from some of my union counterparts is both disappointing and not in the spirit of unions, or the Australian way where everyone gets a fair go.

Labor gears up for battle as unions fight to keep John Setka in party Read more

“This is more about an individual’s political agenda at the expense of my private life with no regard for my wife, and family.

“The anonymous individual waging cowardly, politically motivated and personal attacks is the one who has no respect or concern for the damage he is causing the union.”

Setka was responding to a report in The Australian about a “dissident group” within the CFMEU who had circulated further allegations against Setka to party figures in what was seen as an attempt to “blast him out” of the role.



Setka said that if the “rumours” or allegations had been true, he would have been charged.

The political infighting comes as the Victorian supreme court prepares to hand down its judgment on Tuesday on whether the Labor party acted lawfully when it expelled him from the party in July following a public statement from leader Anthony Albanese.

Setka argued that Albanese and the party had denied him due process as the matter should have been dealt with by the Victorian branch’s disputes tribunal.

John Setka: Albanese plan to expel union boss next week delayed after court ruling Read more

The move against the outspoken unionist from the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union has divided the union movement, with the ACTU boss Sally McManus calling for him to stand down while others have rallied behind him.



At the Western Australian state Labor conference on Sunday, allies of Setka in the WA branch of the CFMEU and MUA sat in protest during a standing ovation for Albanese in what was seen as a rebuke of his handling of the Setka matter.

Setka has pleaded guilty to harassing a woman by text messages, which was later revealed to be his wife.

Walters will face court on Friday for a separate drink driving charge.

In the joint statement Walters said that her family had endured “an incredibly difficult few years”.

“I made it clear then as I am now, I was in a very dark place in which I did seek refuge with alcohol during that time and this is something I am not proud of.

“We have together faced the court system in relation to our marriage breakdown and I will face the courts this Friday for a drink driving charge during the same period of which I am deeply ashamed.”

She said she and Setka had both sought professional help to rebuild their family life.