John Setka launches tirade against CFMEU administrators after Melbourne court appearance
Posted Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 2:07pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 2:07pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 2:07pm
In short:
Former long-serving CFMEU boss John Setka has faced court in Melbourne over allegations he used a telecommunications device to menace and offend.
The 61-year-old was charged last month over an Instagram post featuring images of the union’s former administrator and assistant administrator.
Outside court, Mr Setka made inflammatory remarks about the pair.
Former CFMEU boss John Setka has labelled the union’s administrators “ALP hacks” who are running it into the ground in a tirade launched after his most recent court appearance.
Mr Setka also vowed to fight charges against him after facing the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.
The 61-year-old was arrested last month over an Instagram post he allegedly made featuring images of former administrator Mark Irving KC and assistant administrator Matt McGowan.
“This a rouge’s [sic] gallery of shit bags from the administration,” the post began, with the author labelling some of the people depicted as “puppets” and “cowards”.
He was charged with using a telecommunications device to menace, using a telecommunications device to offend and two charges of committing an indictable offence while on bail.
He was also charged with similar offences in November last year and February this year.
After a brief court appearance, Mr Setka today told reporters he stood by everything he posted.
“I mean look, if I went and bombed a nightclub or I probably attacked a family with a machete or done a home invasion, I wouldn’t get put in handcuffs and I’d be put on bail straight away,” he said.
“But I post the truth and they want to deny me bail and lock me up for four months.
“Talk about woke.”
Mr Setka also made inflammatory comments about Mr Irving and Mr McGowan.
“They’re just driving the union into the ground and it’s an absolute disgrace,” he said.
“They’re just a bunch of ALP hacks who are ruining the union based on fabrications and a whole heap of lies.”
Mr Irving has been contacted for comment, while the union declined to make a statement on behalf of Mr McGowan.
Before Thursday’s matters were adjourned, the court also heard Mr Setka had been charged with family violence-related offences.
He told reporters the matter would be “heavily contested” and suggested it related to him taking a car that he claimed was his.
His defence lawyers said they had received CCTV in relation to the matter this morning and hadn’t been able to review it yet.
It was revealed Mr Setka’s lawyers are seeking additional material from prosecutors, which they indicated they would object to.
He will next appear in court on October 9.
Mr Setka served as the head of the CFMEU for more than a decade before stepping down in 2024 amid allegations that underworld figures had infiltrated major construction projects on his watch.
Mr Irving was appointed as administrator of the CFMEU in August that year, and resigned in from the role in 2026.