The editorial in Thursday's edition of The Age (Lambie is wrong to link union bill to Setka ultimatum, 12/9) needs a response. I’ve been accused of doing many things, but abusing and undermining democracy is not frequently one of them. And I think a right of reply wouldn’t go astray.

Jacqui Lambie says she will support the union-busting bill if John Setka doesn't resign from the CFMMEU Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

I can’t make John Setka stand aside. But I think he should. Not because I hate unionists. Not because I hate unions themselves. I support them. That’s why I’ve taken my stand.

The national secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union said that the Australian union movement is “having its oxygen sucked from out of it” by constantly defending Setka.

Politically, his presence is a gift to the Morrison government. They only have to invoke the spectre of Setka to explain why any piece of union-bashing is necessary. They have a villain and they will use him. Setka is the single biggest gift to the conservatives' industrial relations agenda since they had control of both houses in 2004.