John Setka
John Setka (born September 1964) is an Australian trade unionist.
John Setka | |
|---|---|
| Victorian Secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union | |
| Assumed office 2012 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melbourne, Australia |
| Occupation | CFMMEU state secretary |
| Known for | Leader of the CFMMEU Victorian Branch |
He is secretary of the Victorian-Tasmanian division of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, which also administers the South Australian division under a temporary arrangement.
He is a controversial figure in the Australian trade union movement. He is known for his strong support at a grassroots level, especially among the rank and file of the CFMMEU. His supporters regard him as a strong advocate against political, legal, and industrial opponents; the national secretary of the union, Christy Cain has called him one of the "most fair dinkum union people in this country".
On the other hand, Setka's political opponents have derided him as a bully, and criticized his purported stance that it can be necessary to break the law to pursue union interests. He has also faced strong criticism for alleged public remarks on the topic of domestic violence, and a guilty plea for harassing his ex-wife via text, issues that contributed to his formal expulsion from the Australian Labor Party in 2019.
In recent years Setka's personal life has been the subject of considerable media attention. His marital breakdown, and associated legal issues, have led to additional public criticism.