Ex of CMFEU secretary John Setka in court over alleged murder plot

The estranged wife of union heavyweight John Setka has faced court after allegedly making a threat to kill him.

The estranged wife of Victorian union heavyweight John Setka has appeared in court after she was charged with incitement to commit conspiracy to murder.

Emma Walters appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday via a video link, sitting in front of a white wall featuring a bold-coloured artwork.

She appeared to struggle to hear the proceedings, leaning in closer to her computer several times during the brief hearing.

She spoke twice, saying “yes, Your Honour” when asked if she could see and hear the court and later when asked if she understood her bail conditions.

Emma Walters, a former lawyer, has two children with CMFEU secretary John Setka. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Ms Walters was arrested at her Footscray home on Wednesday last week and charged with three alleged offences.

These are incitement to commit conspiracy to murder, incitement to acquire a firearm and making threats to kill Mr Setka.

Charge sheets released by the court reveal police allege she told private investigator Adrian Peeters on March 21 she wanted to kill the father of her two children.

It is alleged Mr Peeters feared the threat would be carried out.

Two days after her arrest, Ms Walters spoke to the Herald Sun, saying she denies the allegations and will plead not guilty.

Ms Walters and Mr Setka appeared separately in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last Thursday for unrelated matters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

“I said some floral things in a traumatised state,” the paper reported her as saying.

“I want to say nothing further about that because I have to defend very serious charges that have been put against me.”

In a statement, Victoria Police said the 46-year-old had been charged after allegedly attempting to acquire a firearm and making threats to kill earlier the same month.

Ms Walters, a former lawyer, separated with Mr Setka in recent years, alleging she had been subjected to verbal abuse from the controversial union figure.

Mr Setka has denied allegations of domestic abuse.

John Setka remains a controversial figure in the Australian trade union movement and was expelled from the Labor Party in 2019. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

She was represented in court by lawyer Emily Clark and was released on bail by magistrate Felicity Broughton.

She is prohibited from contacting the witnesses nominated by the prosecution and employees of Group One Investigations, including Mr Peeters.

Ms Walters will next appear on May 24.

Originally published as Ex of CMFEU secretary John Setka in court over alleged murder plot