State Labor quiet on new claims about how union boss John Setka treats wife Emma Walters

CFMMEU boss John Setka is under new pressure to resign following fresh allegations about his treatment of his wife — but Premier Daniel Andrews is staying mum.

State Labor is staying silent over explosive new allegations involving union boss John Setka.

The Australian today reported details of allegations involving Mr Setka’s treatment of his wife had been widely circulated within the union, with fresh pressure coming to bear on the union chief to resign.

The paper reported Mr Setka allegedly said, “I’ve got a piece, I’ll put it to your head”.

A spokesperson for Premier Daniel Andrews today said there would be no new comment on the latest reports involving Mr Setka, referring the Sunday Herald Sun to its earlier position.

The Premier has to date refused to call for Mr Setka to step down from his leadership role with the powerful construction union, despite a push for him to go from the ACTU and other major unions.

“There is no place for violence or harassment of women in Victoria — conduct like this is unacceptable,” Mr Andrews said in late June. “These matters have been dealt with by the court, as is appropriate.”

John Setka and Emma Walters . Picture: Mark Stewart

Mr Setka, who is the Victorian and Tasmanian secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), pleaded guilty in June to a charge of breaching a court order and another of harassing a woman by text messages.

His wife, Emma Walters, identified herself as the victim, as the couple stood together outside court.

Mr Setka has also been accused of telling union colleagues that domestic violence advocacy by Rosie Batty had eroded men’s rights — comments he said were an “outrageous lie” peddled for “political gain”.

Mr Setka has defied calls from both sides of politics to resign despite growing pressure.

The Australian reported today that a dissident group inside Mr Setka’s Victorian branch of the CFMMEU had gained access to what it claimed were 26 original alleg­ations against Mr Setka.

RELATED:

ANGER OVER ANDREWS ALLY’S SUPPORT FOR SETKA

EMMA WALTERS JOB BAD NEWS FOR ALBO

JOHN SETKA DEPUTY QUITS

The group — which said it obtained the mat­erial from official sources — is understood to have posted copies of all allegations to 89 Labor Party and union figures, with intended recipients including Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Daniel

Andrews, ACTU secretary Sally McManus, ACTU president Michele O’Neil and all 35 members of the CFMEU’s nat­ional executive.

The Sunday Herald Sun has attempted to contact Mr Setka without response.