Leaked images bust myth that Dan and Setka ‘never met’

Photos have emerged of controversial former CFMEU boss John Setka deep in conversation with then-Premier Daniel Andrews, exploding a myth about the pair.

Photos have emerged of controversial former CFMEU boss John Setka deep in conversation with Daniel Andrews when he was still premier.

The images, provided to the Herald Sun, explode the myth that the two powerful Labor men never spoke or met during Mr Andrews’s reign as Labor leader.

The photos show the pair having a one-on-one chat during the lavish Sorrento wedding of Labor MP Luba Grigorovitch and private equity bigwig Ben Gray, in early 2023.

At that time, Mr Andrews had recently secured a third term for the Labor Party and Mr Setka was in charge of an increasingly powerful CFMEU that had seized control of Big Build sites.

Mr Andrews, who is wearing a tuxedo and has a glass of red wine in his hand, appears to be listening intently to Mr Setka, who is casually gesticulating while speaking.

Daniel Andrews and John Setka chatting at Luba Grigorovitch’s wedding.

Insiders said the photos were of Mr Setka’s table, where Mr Andrews had sat down to talk following speeches, as most guests drifted off to mingle or hit the dancefloor.

Mr Andrews retired in September 2023, while Mr Setka resigned in 2024 amid allegations the union had been infiltrated by criminals and bikies.

Mr Setka, who has previously rejected allegations of union criminality, has recently launched a worker’s compensation claim against the union – now under administration – due to post-traumatic stress.

The pair were photographed deep in discussion during the reception.

He declined to comment when approached, but a source close to Mr Setka said there was nothing secretive about the discussion at the wedding, and that it was largely about how the industry had fared since Covid-19 chaos.

“Dan thanked everyone for their efforts in keeping construction running,” the source said.

Mr Andrews said “no comment” when approached by the Herald Sun.

Despite hailing from the same ALP faction, Mr Setka had frequently denied speaking to Mr Andrews while he was premier, and sent messages to the government via intermediaries.

“This was the first time (Mr Setka) had really talked to him (Mr Andrews),” the source said.

When violent protests erupted outside the union’s headquarters due to Covid-19 vaccine mandates in 2021, Mr Setka said of the then-premier: “I have never met him and never spoken to him”.

Ben Gray and Luba Grigorovitch were married on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Sorrento. Picture: APL Photography

Critics of the militant CFMEU, which has been a major ALP donor for decades, have said it was influential over government policy while Mr Andrews was in charge.

They say the former premier, who retired from politics after 12 years as Labor leader and nine as premier, feared the industrial might of the union, whose members helped build public sector infrastructure he turbocharged with taxpayer cash.

Mr Setka resigned as CFMEU secretary last year, leaving behind a controversy-plagued four-decade career as a union official, including 12 years as boss of the CFMEU.

He has rejected accusations he allowed the union to be infiltrated by bikies and underworld figures, and that coercion and kickbacks were used to gain control of building sites.

The CFMEU’s construction division was placed into administration for three years by the Albanese government, and dozens of elected officials were dismissed.

Investigators for the administrator, Mark Irving, found the union had “lost control” and was trapped in a “cycle of lawlessness”.

Mr Setka has previously accused investigators and the media of a witch hunt.

Originally published as Leaked images bust myth that Dan and Setka ‘never met’