Former union boss John Setka recently addressed a rally of construction union members at a large Victorian government construction site, in what appears to be a direct challenge to both the Albanese and Allan governments. Setka spoke at an early morning meeting at the $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital project on Wednesday, where he addressed a few hundred union members and workers. His decision to attend the meeting is seen as a challenge to the federal government’s move to place the CFMEU in administration, and also undermines Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s claims of zero tolerance for the CFMEU’s previous leadership.
Setka’s appearance at the rally comes after he resigned from the union in July amidst revelations of corruption and criminal activity within the CFMEU. His presence at the rally is a significant development, as he did not attend a large public demonstration in Melbourne the previous week. The fact that Setka chose to address the workers at the Footscray Hospital project indicates a level of support from union members and workers, despite the allegations of corruption within the CFMEU. The project itself is reported to be tightly controlled by the union, with evidence suggesting that CFMEU officials may have been accepting kickbacks to secure subcontractors on the project.
The involvement of John Setka in the rally at the Footscray Hospital project raises questions about the ongoing power dynamics within the construction industry and the influence of the CFMEU. Setka’s defiance of the federal government’s actions against the union, as well as his willingness to challenge Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s stance on the issue, highlights the complexity of the situation. The allegations of corruption and criminality within the CFMEU add another layer of controversy to the situation, as Setka’s resignation in July was seen as a response to these revelations. The extent of Setka’s support among union members and workers is also a point of interest, given that he chose to address them at the rally.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Albanese and Allan governments will respond to Setka’s actions and the broader issue of corruption within the CFMEU. The ongoing investigations into the allegations of kickbacks and other corrupt practices on the Footscray Hospital project will likely shed more light on the extent of the problem. Setka’s decision to address the rally at the construction site indicates that he still commands a level of influence within the union and construction industry, despite his resignation. The implications of his actions for the future of the CFMEU and the construction sector as a whole are yet to be fully understood, but they are likely to have far-reaching consequences.
