The national executive of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has given embattled union boss John Setka its "full support", strongly condemning "untruthful leaks" from a meeting earlier this month as "acts of treachery".
Key points:
- John Setka has defied calls from both sides of politics to stand down
- Labor leader Anthony Albanese said Mr Setka had brought the Labor party into disrepute
- The Victorian branch of the CFMEU is threatening to withhold money and support from Labor
The controversy escalated in the wake of reports Mr Setka, who is the Victorian secretary of the CFMEU, had disparaged the work of anti-violence campaigner Rosie Batty at a meeting of the union's national executive.
Mr Setka has denied making the comments and continues to defy calls from both sides of politics to stand down.
In a statement released late on Wednesday night following a meeting in Canberra, the CFMEU's Construction and General Division National Executive said Mr Setka had the "full support" of the division.
"At no time at the [national executive] meeting on 5 June 2019 did John Setka criticise or denigrate Rosie Batty or indeed any campaign against family violence.
"We strongly support her campaign.
"Leaks and other acts of treachery only provide ammunition to conservative forces seeking to destroy trade unionism in Australia."
The statement does not mention the Labor party, despite an ongoing battle behind the scenes.
Tensions have flared over Labor leader Anthony Albanese's push to expel Mr Setka from the ALP, arguing he has brought the party into disrepute.
The Victorian branch of the CFMEU is now threatening to withhold money and support from the Labor Party if the expulsion happens.
But not all union members have thrown their support behind the construction boss.
Mr Setka met with ACTU boss Sally McManus last week who called on him to resign in the interest of the broader union movement.
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