AFL hits back at CFMEU boss John Setka’s threats to projects including new Crows HQ

The AFL has stood by its new umpiring chief despite CFMEU boss John Setka’s threats to cease co-operation on league projects, including the new Crows HQ, unless he is sacked.

The AFL has hit back at threats made by CFMEU Victorian leader John Setka to cease co-operation on league related projects, including the Adelaide Crows’ new headquarters, unless its head of umpiring is sacked.

Mr Setka said the construction union would not work with the AFL to address cost overruns or delays on projects until former building watchdog and current head of umpiring Stephen McBurney was sacked.

Mr Setka told The Australian that the move would “have implications for the AFL right across Australia”.

“We have an obligation to pursue anti-union, anti-worker f--kers like him and we will until the end of the earth,” Mr Setka told The Australian.

“This is going to cost the AFL a lot of f**king money. I hope it’s worth it. Projects without our full co-operation are going to be a f**king misery for them.”

“They will regret the day they ever employed him.”

CFMEU leader John Setka. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

AFL head of umpiring Stephen McBurney.

But in a statement from the AFL, they hoped any action by the CFMEU would have minimal impact on its members and the organisation defended Mr McBurney.

“We are hopeful any intended action does not impact players, supporters or the wider community who benefit from upgrades to local clubrooms and our stadiums,” the statement said.

“He (Mr McBurney) has been a long-time mentor to umpires at every level and has done an outstanding job since returning to the AFL to take up the role of head of officiating.”

The AFL highlighted that projects are designed to “create a more welcoming footy environment for families who make up many of the 1.2 million club members and the many more millions of fans who attend games”.

Mr McBurney, as Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC), initiated legal action that resulted in millions of dollars of penalties against the Construction Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU).

Mr Setka said the demand to sack Mr McBurney was backed by the CFMEU’s South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian branches.

A former AFL umpire, Mr McBurney was appointed to head the ABCC in 2018 and began his new role as head of umpiring in April this year.

As well as the Crows headquarters, Mr Setka cited the proposed new stadium in Tasmania and any works undertaken in Victoria as targets of the campaign.

The AFL did not comment on Tuesday about the threats by Mr Setka.

The Advertiser has contacted the Crows for comment.

Originally published as AFL hits back at CFMEU boss John Setka’s threats to projects including new Crows HQ