State MP says he has no idea whether there were any strings attached to donation from militant Victorian union

A state government MP says he has no idea whether there were any strings attached to a hefty donation from the Victorian branch of a militant union.

A state government MP says he has no idea if there any strings were attached to a hefty pre-election donation from the Victorian branch of the CFMEU.

The opposition is demanding to know what was expected in return from the John Setka-led Victorian union’s “$250,000 donation” but Education Minister Blair Boyer on Thursday directed inquiries to the party’s administration and said he had no idea if any conditions were attached.

The Opposition wants all donations from the Victorian union to be given to domestic violence charities, citing Mr Setka’s conviction for harassing his wife.

CFMEU boss John Setka. Picture: James Ross

SA Education Minister Blair Boyer. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

However, the Liberals are accused of fabricating the truth after Treasury spokesman Matthew Cowdrey claimed Mr Setka had recently been spotted in SA Parliament House in an unauthorised visit.

A union spokesman said Mr Setka has not visited Adelaide since 2019.

And, the union says the donation was for $125,000.

A spokesman said the Opposition treasury spokesman Mr Cowdrey should “visit Specsavers” before making unsubstantiated claims about spotting Mr Setka in Adelaide.