Former construction union leader John Setka has been arrested and charged by Victoria police after allegedly sending threatening and harassing emails to a union administrator. The 61-year-old was arrested at a home in Footscray about 6.40am on Wednesday, with police seizing a mobile phone and an iPad during a search of the property.
Setka faces seven counts of “using a telecom communications device to menace, harass and offend”. The charges stem from an investigation by Taskforce Hawk, established in July 2024 to target criminal behaviour in the construction industry. Police allege Setka sent “a number of allegedly threatening, offensive and abusive emails to a CFMEU administrator following a notice to produce sent on 27 October and a follow-up letter sent on 28 October”.
Setka has been bailed and is scheduled to appear before Melbourne’s magistrates court on 30 January. Victoria police assistant commissioner Martin O’Brien urged anyone with information on concerning behaviour in construction workplaces to come forward, stating, “We will not tolerate behaviour that aims to intimidate and harass people who simply want to be able to go to work and perform their job to the best of their ability.”
Setka resigned as head of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union in Victoria in 2024 after a Nine investigation alleged criminal links within the construction industry. The union’s construction division was placed into administration in mid-2024 over allegations of serious misconduct, corruption and violence. Setka also faces legal action by the Fair Work ombudsman over allegations he tried to coerce the AFL into sacking its chief umpire.
