John Setka, the former boss of the CFMEU’s Victoria branch, and other senior leaders “couldn’t care less” about the safety of union members, Watson says.
He tells the inquiry CFMEU leaders with criminal links didn’t share the values of the wider Australian union movement, but were exclusively concerned with self-advancement.
“I’m so sick and tired of all these statements made… by Setka and by others that ‘what we’re most concerned about is bringing those men home safe in the evening’,” Watson says.
“I truly believe Setka couldn’t care less about that.
“‘We’ve got to pick the [health and safety representatives] because we’ve got to keep them safe’. All right, so you’re going to put a killer on?”
The inquiry hears one health and safety representative was arrested on murder charges shortly after being appointed, and another threatened to kill someone with an axe.
“It’s stupid. It’s so wrong, so hypocritical,” Watson says.
“They’ve lost their values, and that hurts me personally… I believe in this. I actually think unions have done a great thing in this country.
“Think where Setka and his mob have taken it.”
