Setka on Labor’s nose

ANTHONY Albanese is moving to expel John Setka from the Labor Party, after the controversial union official criticised anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty.

The Opposition Leader said Mr Setka had been undermining the labour movement, and his comments about Ms Batty were “completely unacceptable”.

“I don’t want him in the party I lead. It’s that simple,” Mr Albanese said yesterday.

Mr Albanese is confident the national executive of the Labor Party will unanimously support his decision.

Mr Setka, the Victorian secretary of the CFMMEU, claims he was “taken out of context” after reportedly telling a union meeting that Ms Batty’s advocacy had led to men having fewer rights.

Outgoing senior Labor senator Doug Cameron was among the first to demand Mr Setka resign.

Senator Cameron, a former trade unionist, said he strongly supported the “mindful militant” behaviour of Mr Setka’s CFMMEU.

“(But) there is nothing mindful about the alleged behaviour of John Setka. He should put the movement and members first by resigning,” Senator Cameron tweeted.

Labor senator Penny Wong said she was on Ms Batty’s side.

“I thought his comments about Ms Batty were … inappropriate,” she said.