John Setka’s threat to challenge Labor expulsion moves

John Setka and the ALP are on a collision course after the embattled union leader threatened legal action over the party’s plan to expel him.

Embattled construction union boss John Setka has flagged legal action against the Labor Party while his allies threaten to withhold millions of dollars in donations.

The Victorian Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union secretary has warned he will challenge any moves to expel him from the party after denying he denigrated anti-domestic violence advocate Rosie Batty during a conversation with union colleagues.

John Setka at the ACTU building last week.

The Victorian branch today called on the national body to issue a public statement of support for Mr Setka and condemn the “cowardly manufactured leaks” against him.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese wants the party’s national executive to expel Mr Setka at next month’s meeting. ACTU boss Sally McManus also called on Mr Setka to resign and received the backing of 12 unions.

Mr Albanese said his decision to have Mr Setka expelled was based on “his long history of bringing the Labor Party into disrepute”.

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He told ABC today he was not worried about the ALP losing donations from the Victorian CFMEU.

“I’m worried about just doing the right thing, as simple as that,” he said.

The Electrical Trades Union is strongly backing Mr Setka and has joined CFMEU threats to halt all donations to the Opposition.