Holly Hales and Kat Wong, AAP
A former construction union boss has been referred to police after he gained access to two government building sites to address workers.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she has referred ex-CFMEU boss John Setka to Victoria Police after he spoke to about 700 workers at a Metro Tunnel project site on Thursday September 5.
It comes after Setka addressed workers at Footscray Hospital, which is undergoing a $1.5 billion revamp, on Wednesday.
“There is no place for John Setka on these worksites,” Ms Allan told reporters.
“He was on the sites unlawfully and that is why the matter has been referred to Victoria Police for their further investigation.
“In terms of who attends work sites there are well-established processes here and it is the government’s expectation that those building industry companies manage this process appropriately, which is clearly not what happened in these incidents over the past 24 hours.”
Setka launched into an expletive-laden criticism of the state and federal governments during his visit to the hospital build site in Melbourne’s west.
“People sort of asked why I resigned and I’m going to be honest with youse, f*****g Albo, and his f***ing bullshit,” he told workers.
Setka, who quit in July after allegation bikies and underworld figures had infiltrated the union, gave insight into how his resignation took place: “They want a scalp you tell them I’ll go. I’ll resign right now. I’ll resign tonight.”
“My job is to protect the union and its members. I’m going to be gone in a few months,” he told the crowd.
The Victorian government has asked construction giant Multiplex, which is managing the project, how the on-site rally unfolded.
The Fair Work Ombudsman said it was investigating allegations former CFMEU officials have attended construction sites and encouraged those with information to come forward.
Victoria Police has been contacted for a response.
Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Setka had “stunning audacity” to enter a second worksite.
“John Setka’s worked out as well that Anthony Albanese is a weak leader,” Mr Dutton told reporters in Sydney.
“They (the CFMEU) trade in misery. They go onto building sites, which forces up the cost of building.”
