Politics · Australia · 9 hrs ago
Mick Gatto secretly backed union leader John Setka
John Setka turned to Mick Gatto for advice as the construction union leader faced a domestic violence case in Melbourne in 2019.
The case involved allegations that Setka had harassed and intimidated his wife, Emma Walters.
Police analysis of his phone found that he called Walters 25 times and sent her 45 messages in one evening, including abusive insults.
The case became public after details were leaked, and the allegations drew calls for Setka to resign, including from ACTU secretary Sally McManus.
Setka’s messages to Gatto showed his anger at people he said were judging and trying to control him.
Gatto’s support offered Setka a trusted adviser while his union and political standing faced scrutiny.
Mick Gatto secretly supported construction union leader John Setka, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Setka sought advice from Gatto while facing criminal accusations and criticism over a domestic violence case.
Police evidence described repeated calls and abusive messages Setka sent to his wife, Emma Walters.
Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus publicly called for Setka to resign.
Setka responded angrily to critics in messages to Gatto, accusing them of abandoning him and questioning their understanding of mateship.
- Who
- Construction union leader John Setka and Mick Gatto, who the Sydney Morning Herald described as secretly supporting him.
- What
- Gatto provided secret support to Setka as he faced criminal accusations and pressure to resign.
- When
- The article describes events in 2018 and early 2019. The date of Gatto’s support is not stated.
- Where
- Melbourne, Australia.
- Why
- Setka faced criminal accusations of stalking and terrorising his wife, and criticism from union figures.
John Setka and Mick Gatto
Australian Council of Trade Unions leadership
Support and loyalty
John Setka and Mick Gatto
Setka complained to Gatto that union figures were absent when he faced criticism; Gatto was described as giving Setka support.
Australian Council of Trade Unions leadership
ACTU secretary Sally McManus publicly called for Setka to resign and said no one was bigger than the movement.
Setka stormed out of the Labor Party national conference after insulting former prime minister Kevin Rudd.
A domestic violence case against Setka was lodged in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
- Union
- Construction division of the CFMEU
- Union leader
- John Setka
- Supporter
- Domenic “Mick” Gatto
- Court
- Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
- Police evidence
- Setka called Emma Walters 25 times and sent her 45 text messages in one evening
What people are saying
F--- these prim and proper people have never done it hard in the [sic] whole lives
I’m sick of all these squareheads trying to micro manage me and tell me who I can be seen with or who I can talk to.
F--- these people who should probably look up in the dictionary what mateship means.
no one is bigger than the movement