‘Selfish’: John Setka’s anger as coronavirus hits CFMEU

There is concern within the construction union over further transmission after four CFMEU officials tested positive for Covid-19.

Victorian CFMEU secretary John Setka attempts to talk to construction workers during protests last week. Picture: David Crosling

The CFMEU’s Melbourne head office – damaged in violent protests last week – has been declared a tier 1 exposure site, forcing the union’s top brass into isolation as Victoria reported 950 new cases amid mounting concerns over its healthcare system.

There is unease within the construction union over further transmission after four officials tested positive for Covid-19 as the state’s health authorities refused to rule out extending the shutdown of the $22bn industry.

Victorian and Tasmanian branch secretary John Setka said the estimated 500 protesters who laid siege to union headquarters last Monday were to blame for the outbreak.

“This outbreak – caused by the disgusting behaviour of selfish and reckless people with no regard to the wellbeing of the thousands of construction workers or their families – will not deter our commitment to getting construction back open and all our members back to work,” said Mr Setka, who is among those in isolation.

It is not known whether union officials contracted the virus from protesters or vice versa.

Monday’s clashes were followed by a week of ugly protests in the CBD.

A Victoria Police acting sergeant from a specialist support unit was suspended on Wednesday amid an ongoing police investigation into a video that appears to show a man being slammed to the ground at Flinders St Railway Station last week.

As Victoria’s case numbers continue to surge with Melbourne enduring the eighth week of lockdown, there are growing concerns about whether the healthcare system can cope with anticipated flood of Covid-19 cases.

Health Minister Martin Foley said the government was working to firm up surge capacity ahead of an expected rise in demand.

“I acknowledge that the system is under huge stress after 20 months of continuously ramped-up efforts of demand on our health system,” he said.

“Our frontline healthcare workers right across the system are working like never before.”

The 950 latest cases bring the total number to 9890, with seven new deaths.

Ambulance Victoria executive director Mick Stephenson said volunteers from the State Emergency Service and St John Ambulance had begun driver training in a bid to increase capacity, while student paramedics would also care for patients.

“It is the busiest that ambulance and health services have ever been,” he said.

“We have got a very heavy workload generally, and that is compounded by the fact we have Covid-19 patients in the system as well.”

On Wednesday, there were 371 people in Victorian hospitals, including 81 in intensive care and 55 using a ventilator.