Pressure mounts on John Setka to step down as CFMEU state secretary

Union leader John Setka is facing mounting pressure to step down as state secretary of the CFMEU after his lawyers said this week he would plead guilty to harassing a woman using a carriage service.

John Setka leaves Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Pressure is mounting on embattled union leader John Setka to step down as state secretary of the CFMEU.

Labor MPs and figures are worried Mr Setka’s position is “untenable” after his lawyers said this week he would plead guilty to harassing a woman using a carriage service.

While the union does not have elections until late next year, Labor and trade union sources say it would be difficult to cling on to the role given the movement’s ongoing campaigns on women’s safety.

They are also expecting political opponents to target the CFMEU and the Australian Council of Trade Unions as a result of the case.

Shadow Minister for Women, Emma Kealy, said on Friday Premier Daniel Andrews should act if the labour movement did not.

John Setka leaves Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“We must take a zero tolerance approach to all forms of violence against women and for Daniel Andrews to not take action against John Setka would be entirely hypocritical,” she said.

“If Daniel Andrews genuinely believes disrespectful and discriminatory behaviour towards women must not be tolerated he must immediately take action to revoke John Setka’s Labor membership and demand he be sacked as the CFMEU State Secretary.”

Sources familiar with the allegations said unions were bracing themselves for details of Mr Setka’s offending to come out in court.

There are also serious concerns in some sections of the union movement that the case could re-energise the Morrison Government’s push to toughen fit and proper person tests for trade union officials.

Currently under federal laws, union office holders can be removed only if they are convicted of offences including fraud and dishonesty charges, workplace offences and any state or federal offences “involving the intentional use of violence towards another person, the intentional causing of death or injury to another person or the intentional damaging or destruction of property”.

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The CFMEU has gone to ground since Mr Setka revealed he would plead guilty to the harassment charge and did not respond to calls on Friday.

Dozens of other charges against Mr Setka, including one count of recklessly causing injury, were withdrawn this week.

In January, Mr Setka issued a statement referring to the “enormous strain” of union work on his family life, following media reports of his alleged offending.

He will return to court next month for a plea hearing.

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