John Setka Spotlight interview: Murray Watt dismisses claim of secret deal to save construction union
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has dismissed as “absolutely fanciful” former construction union boss John Setka’s claim that there was a secret deal to save the CFMEU if he stood aside from leadership roles.
The former head of Victoria’s militant construction union made the claim in an exclusive interview with 7NEWS Spotlight, saying the previous minister and peak body the ACTU had “lied through their teeth” and stitched up his organisation.
But Senator Watt, who took on the portfolio a month ago, said the suggestion of a secret deal was ridiculous and labelled Mr Setka’s interview bizarre.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“This idea from John Setka is utterly ridiculous and it’s another desperate attempt from John Setka to distract attention away from the problems he has caused for his union and its members,” he said.
Mr Setka stepped down as a union official in July, after media reports raised allegations of corruption, misbehaviour and the involvement of outlaw motorcycle gangs in the CFMEU.
Days after Mr Setka’s resignation, then-minister Tony Burke told ABC’s Insiders that it was a start but “it is in no way the end of what needs to be done” and his department was exploring what else needed to be done to clean up the union.
“At that point in time, I know that Tony Burke as the minister, was considering all options from administration to deregistration of the union while he took advice from his department,” Senator Watt said on Monday.
The minister also dismissed Mr Setka’s version of an encounter between the unionist and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a lift.
“It’s just laughable. I mean, it’s just John Setka, you know, trying to beat his chest and be the tough guy, which is what he’s been doing his entire career,” he said.
Mr Albanese said the story was “nonsense” and that he had not watched the Spotlight interview.
He also said reports the union was preparing a legal challenge to the move last week to put it into administration was to be fully expected.
“That’s business as usual from the CFMEU,” the Prime Minister said.
Senator Watt said Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus had ultimately made the decision to place the union’s construction branches into administration – rather than him as the workplace minister – as a further protection to ensure the process could withstand legal challenges.
