John Setka has resigned as secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union (CFMEU) in Victoria, citing “malicious attacks” in “relentless stories” written about him, the union, its members and officials.
He was due to retire later in 2024 after 12 years as the head of the union’s Victorian-Tasmanian branch.
A union spokesperson said his sudden resignation on Friday evening — effective immediately — was due to “relentless stories written with multiple allegations whether true or not about this great union”.
“These stories have been constant, and while I’ve been the target of many of them, enough is enough,” Setka said. “The ongoing false allegations continually do nothing but harm the work this great union does for its members.”
Setka said he hoped his stepping down would allow the union “to continue to fight for our members”. Source: AAP / James Ross
“If my stepping down can stop these malicious attacks on our members and officials and allow this great union to continue to fight for our members, for their wages and conditions, so that they go home safely to their families each day, then I’m happy,” he said.
“No individual is greater than the union, this union is and always should be about the members.”
Setka garnered a dedicated following and significant influence during his time in the role while also being involved in a string of controversies.
Setka was expelled from the Labor Party in 2019 after a push by Anthony Albanese, over alleged disparaging comments about domestic and family violence campaigner Rosie Batty.
Setka publicly denied making the comments, opposed his expulsion and refused to step down from the CFMEU at the time.
In recent weeks, Setka piled pressure on the Australian Football League (AFL) to sack its chief umpire and threatened to delay work on the league’s construction sites if the sport failed to give in to his demands.
The 59-year-old criticised the AFL for hiring Stephen McBurney, the former head of the now-defunct industrial watchdog the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
In June, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke signalled a proposed union demerger bill that would allow the manufacturing division of the CFMEU to split from the broader organisation if supported by a vote.
