John Setka: Controversial former union boss reportedly set to launch PTSD claim against militant CFMEU

Controversial former union boss John Setka is set to make a workers compensation claim for post-traumatic stress disorder against the militant union that he led for 12 years.

The Australian reports that Mr Setka had lodged the claim against the Victorian branch of the CFMEU, citing a series of incidents that he said caused the PTSD.

These reportedly include the violent COVID protests outside the CFMEU’s headquarters in 2021, and an incident in which a wall collapsed in Swanston Street back in 2013 — killing three pedestrians.

The claim also includes death threats and abuse that had been aimed at him, as well as blackmail charges that were filed against him in 2015, before being dropped three years later.

Mr Setka suddenly resigned from his role as the boss of the Victorian CFMEU on July 12, days before serious allegations were aired against the CFMEU’s Victorian branch concerning its connection to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

On July 15, the CFMEU’s Victorian branch was placed into administration.

In August, Mr Setka sat down for an exclusive interview with 7’s Spotlight, where he denied allegations that he had a history of intimidating behaviour and made the bombshell claims that a secret deal between the CFMEU and the Federal Government cost him his job.