The Tainted Legacy of John Setka: A Union’s Reckoning

The news that former Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) boss John Setka is set to be expelled from the union he led for 12 years marks a long-overdue reckoning. For too long, his tenure was marred by a culture of intimidation, corruption, and favoritism towards big business and gangland figures.

The allegations against him – of threatening and abusing administration staff, including current administrator Michael Crosby – paint a damning picture of a man who prioritized his own power and influence over the welfare of union members. Setka’s friendship with notorious building company boss Frank Nadinic is particularly egregious. As revealed in recent years by investigative journalism, Nadinic has a history of exploiting workers and denying them their entitlements.

The fact that Setka was photographed dining with Nadinic and his former union lieutenant John Perkovic – who is under active federal police investigation for suspected bribery – speaks to a deeper rot within the CFMEU. The relationship between Setka, Perkovic, and Nadinic raises questions about the extent of corruption within the construction industry.

As this publication’s Building Bad series has consistently exposed, multiple companies with histories of mistreating workers have been given preferential treatment by the CFMEU under Setka’s leadership. The involvement of underworld figure Mick Gatto – who has been paid millions by companies that have gone bust owing workers or paid him to keep the union from enforcing hard-won pay and conditions – is a stark reminder of the industry’s entrenched problems.

Administrator Michael Crosby’s efforts to reassert control over the CFMEU’s rogue Victorian branch are welcome, but they also highlight a larger problem. The fact that the union’s culture remains broken, as Crosby has warned, raises questions about the effectiveness of the current leadership and its willingness to tackle corruption from within.

Setka’s actions have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the CFMEU itself. His expulsion would mark a significant shift in the balance of power within the Victorian Labor Party, where he once wielded significant influence. It would also serve as a warning to other union leaders who prioritize their own interests over those of their members.

Crosby has called for greater action from government and industry to combat construction industry corruption. This is not simply an issue for the CFMEU or its members; it’s a problem that requires the entire sector to be held accountable for its role in perpetuating organized crime and exploitation.

In the coming weeks, as Setka’s case unfolds, a fierce debate will ensue about the legacy of his leadership and the future direction of the CFMEU. Will this expulsion mark a turning point for the union, or will it merely be a small step towards greater accountability? The answer lies not in the fate of John Setka, but in the willingness of those within the union to confront its own demons and rebuild a culture that truly serves the interests of workers.

Victoria Police has warned that it is powerless to tackle construction industry organized crime on its own. It’s up to the CFMEU, government, and industry leaders to work together to create a safer, more transparent sector that prioritizes the welfare of workers above all else.

Ultimately, Setka’s expulsion will be seen as either a vindication of the union’s efforts to reform or a token gesture in the face of entrenched corruption. One thing is certain: acknowledging and confronting the rot at the heart of the CFMEU is essential if it hopes to regain the trust of its members and the wider community.