John Setka should be forced out of Labor Party, Kelly O’Dwyer says

Workplace Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer has called on Bill Shorten to force the union boss to quit the party after his arrest.

CFMEU Victoria Secretary John Setka pictured delivering a speech at the Labor Party National Conference in Adelaide last month.

Workplace Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer has called on Bill Shorten to force CFMMEU boss John Setka out of the Labor Party, after he was arrested over an altercation with his wife on Boxing Day.

The Herald Sun reported today that Mr Setka, the Victorian head of the CFMMEU, had been charged after a Boxing Day incident involving wife Emma Walters at the family home.

Speaking at the KPMG Couta boat races at the Victorian seaside town of Sorrento, Ms O’Dwyer said today that the allegations against Mr Setka were “very disturbing” and should not be tolerated by anyone, including the Opposition Leader.

Workplace Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer.

“Bill Shorten relies on John Setka and his militant CFMMEU for leadership votes and for donations and every single time Bill Shorten has failed the test of leadership when it comes to the militant CFMMEU and its leadership,” she said.

“Bill Shorten must tell John Setka to resign his membership of the Labor Party and to resign from the militant CFMMEU.”

A Labor spokeswoman said today: “We will not comment on a matter before the courts.”