Ex-CFMEU boss John Setka won’t be charged over expletive-laden hospital site visit
A former union heavyweight will not be charged by police after his expletive-laden address to workers at a hospital worksite.
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Embattled ex-CFMEU boss John Setka will not be charged by police after an expletive-laden address to workers on a site at Melbourne’s Footscray Hospital.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan referred Mr Setka to police, saying he entered two worksites sites unlawfully on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mr Setka resigned in July amid allegations the powerful union was tied to criminal gangs.
He is not personally accused of any involvement in criminal gangs
Victoria Police said on Friday it had completed an investigation into his presence on two government worksites and “no offence had been detected”.
“For there to be a trespass offence, a person must be asked to leave by someone in charge of the site or who has authority at the site,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“The person then has to refuse to leave within a reasonable time.
“There is no evidence that this occurred on Wednesday or Thursday, therefore there has been no trespass offence committed.”
Mr Setka’s appearance at Footscray Hospital on Wednesday caused a stir.
Works at the hospital are funded by $1.5bn in federal and Victorian state government grants.
During his remarks, he provided some insight into the circumstances of his resignation, telling workers he offered himself up as “a scalp”.
“People sort of asked why I resigned and I’m going to be honest with youse, f***ing Albo, and his f***ing bullshit,” he said.
“My job is to protect the union and its members. I’m going to be gone in a few months.
“They want a scalp, f***ing I’ll give them a scalp, I don’t give a sh*t.”
The Fair Work Ombudsman said it was also investigating Mr Setka’s visit to the site.
Meanwhile, Victoria Police said a CFMEU official had been charged over alleged threats to assault the owners of a labour hire company.
They said a 40-year-old Beveridge man had been charged with threats to kill and a threat to inflict serious injury.
Originally published as Ex-CFMEU boss John Setka won’t be charged over expletive-laden hospital site visit
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