Unionist refusing Labor’s quit call

UNION leader John Setka has refused to step down from his union role amid claims he criticised the work of anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty.

Mr Setka says he’s the victim of “false allegations” made for political gain and called for whomever leaked the accusations to be suspended from the CFMMEU.

The Victorian secretary of the CFMMEU has been suspended from the Labor Party and is likely to be expelled, after reportedly telling a union meeting that Ms Batty’s advocacy had led to men having fewer rights.

“Everyone at that meeting knows that what has been reported is not what I said,” he said yesterday alongside his wife Emma Walters. “The member who leaked these false allegations, for nothing more than political gain, should be the one who hangs their head in shame. Why should I step down? For something that is totally inaccurate and false and just a lie?”

Mr Setka brushed off the prospect of being expelled from the Labor Party at the behest of leader Anthony Albanese, but says it’s the work of “dirty politics”.

“I answer to my members and my members only,” he said. “I don’t answer to the ALP. They don’t pay my wages.”

Mr Setka will have a chance to defend himself when Mr Albanese’s expulsion motion goes to the ALP’s national executive on July 5. The move could have implications for federal Labor, which has received at least $11 million in donations from the CFMMEU since 2000.

Some officials of the CFMMEU, which has about 120,000 members, are already angry at the ALP over its failed election campaign, saying the party delivered mixed messages on the coal industry and pandered too much to innercity voters.

THE MEMBER WHO LEAKED THESE FALSE ALLEGATIONS … SHOULD BE THE ONE WHO HANGS THEIR HEAD IN SHAME JOHN SETKA

Ms Walters was at times emotional during the couple’s press conference, saying the public scrutiny of her husband had put the family in a “dark, dark place”.

“It is very hard to watch the ‘Get John Setka’ campaign,” she said. “I see John Setka get up every morning and go to work at 6.30 to represent his members. I see him come home at 7.00 at night, having spent all day representing his members.

“I can’t describe how hard it is to watch.” She says her husband has the “utmost respect” for women.