The CFMEU’s national construction division has declared its “full support” for the union’s Victorian secretary, John Setka, defying calls by ACTU secretary Sally McManus and 13 national unions for him to resign.
After two days of crisis talks in Canberra, the union’s construction division executive said last night that Mr Setka had not criticised or denigrated anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty and condemned “untruthful leaks” from the union’s national executive.
In a joint statement, national construction division secretary Dave Noonan and division president Jade Ingham said the divisional executive “affirms that the democratic rules of the union provide for election by, and accountability to, the members who elect officials”.
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“John Setka along with all other leaders of our union has been elected and is supported by the democratic structures of our union,’’ they said. “John has the full support of the construction and general division.”
They said the union would not comment on Mr Setka’s intention to plead guilty to harassment charges at a court hearing next Wednesday. “The union reaffirms its complete opposition to all forms of family violence. Safety, fairness and dignity are equally important on the job and in the home.”
The alleged comments about Ms Batty were cited by Labor leader Anthony Albanese last week when he moved to have Mr Setka expelled from the ALP. “Rosie Batty is a great campaigner against family violence and the idea that she should be denigrated by someone like John Setka is completely unacceptable to me as leader of the Australian Labor Party, and I don’t want him in our party,’’ he said.
But Mr Noonan and Mr Ingham said “at no time” during the national executive meeting “did John Setka criticise or denigrate Rosie Batty or indeed any campaign against family violence. We strongly support her campaign”.
“John’s heartfelt account of his personal life in recent months was received by most in the room in the same genuine spirit in which it was delivered,” they said.
“Leaks and other acts of treachery only provide ammunition to conservative forces seeking to destroy trade unionism in Australia, and the living standards of workers in this country.”
The Electrical Trades Union yesterday threatened to audit federal and Victorian Labor MPs for any history of domestic violence allegations in retaliation for the moves against Mr Setka.
ETU Victorian secretary Troy Gray, a close ally of Mr Setka, said the union would conduct the audit “to make sure they’re clean” if they were going to be “judge and jury” about Mr Setka’s conduct.
“If people are going to try and do a political hatchet job on a union official then we will be looking to see if people have skeletons in their closet,’’ Mr Gray told The Australian. “If people are going to demand a certain standard where people should resign, then let’s make sure all these Labor MPs meet that standard as well.”
Mr Albanese said earlier yesterday he would not respond to threats by the CFMEU and ETU Victorian branches to cut donations to the ALP.
“I make no apology for ensuring the Labor Party and its interests are put before the interests of any individual,” he told Sydney radio. “There’s no doubt that every time I’ve seen Mr Setka get publicity it hasn’t been positive and it hasn’t reflected well on the Labor Party, or indeed on the trade union movement.”
ACTU president Michele O’Neil reiterated the peak union body’s call for Mr Setka to quit: “We believe it is right for the union movement for John to consider his position and to stand aside.”
Workplace Editor
Melbourne
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