Secret messages reveal Mick Gatto's support for John Setka during domestic violence case

Texts show CFMEU boss received backing from underworld figure and Labor figures while facing public calls to resign

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published24 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources4 outlets

The Age has obtained text messages revealing that CFMEU construction union leader John Setka received private support from gangland identity Mick Gatto and several Labor-aligned female politicians and union figures during a 2019 domestic violence case, even as the union movement's top officials publicly demanded his resignation.

The messages, published by investigative reporters Nick McKenzie and Ben Schneiders, detail the behind-the-scenes support Setka received after details of a harassment and stalking case brought by his wife, Emma Walters, were leaked to the media. Setka later pleaded guilty to harassment and breaching a family violence order.

While Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus and senior Labor figures including then-opposition leader Anthony Albanese and Victorian premier Daniel Andrews publicly criticised Setka, the texts show a different story among some of his comrades.

Mick Gatto, a well-known underworld figure, was the most unflinching supporter. "Thanks john for publicly defending our friendship," Gatto texted Setka. "I do love ya. Without you the union is gone." When Setka replied with thanks, Gatto had earlier urged him to reconsider pleading guilty, likening the government's actions against himself to the pressure on Setka.

Victorian Labor MP Bronwyn Halfpenny texted Setka: "You are a great comrade to working people so the establishment will always want to bring u down. Hope to see you soon. Xxx."

Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Luba Grigorovitch, now a state Labor MP and minister, sent repeated messages of support, vowing to direct her union to back Setka. "We will get through this John xx," she promised.

Communications expert and EMILY's List head Tanja Kovac advised Setka on public messaging, urging him to champion "the need to talk about family and gendered violence," and to "Be strong, genuine, sorry & the leader I know you are."

The article notes that while Setka faced a storm of public condemnation, his phone also lit up with support from male comrades and women alike, reflecting his power and reach within the labor movement.

Setka had previously led tens of thousands of protesters and stormed out of the 2018 ALP national conference after calling former prime minister Kevin Rudd offensive names. The texts offer a detailed look at how Setka navigated the crisis, relying on a mix of pugnacious defiance and careful image management.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The revelations expose a gap between the public stance of the union movement on domestic violence and the private support offered to a leader accused of harassment.
They raise questions about the influence of underworld figures within the labor movement and the willingness of political leaders to back a powerful union boss behind the scenes.
The story may trigger further scrutiny of Setka’s conduct and the broader culture of the CFMEU, which is already under administration.

Background

John Setka is the long-standing national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union’s construction division. In early 2019, he faced charges of stalking and intimidating his wife, Emma Walters, and was convicted of harassment and breaching a family violence order. The case sparked widespread calls for his resignation from union and Labor Party figures. Setka remained in his role and continues to lead the union. The Age’s investigation is based on text messages extracted from Setka’s phone and other sources, and forms part of a book by McKenzie and Schneiders.

Key Perspectives

Sally McManus, ACTU secretary: Called on Setka to resign, saying “no one is bigger than the movement” and that he had left “the union movement’s reputation damaged.” Mick Gatto, underworld figure: Urged Setka to fight the charges and not plead guilty, telling him “I do love ya. Without you the union is gone.” Bronwyn Halfpenny, Victorian Labor MP: Texted Setka support, calling him a “great comrade to working people” and wishing him well. Luba Grigorovitch, Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary (now Labor MP): Sent messages of support and vowed to direct her union to back Setka. Tanja Kovac, EMILY’s List head and Labor adviser: Advised Setka to show contrition and publicly champion discussion of family and gendered violence.

What to Watch

Whether any of the Labor figures who sent supportive texts face internal party discipline or public backlash.
Whether the CFMEU administration or other authorities take further action based on the evidence of Gatto’s involvement with the union.
The potential impact on Setka’s leadership and the union’s ongoing legal and political battles.

Sources

‘Without you the union is gone’: Mick Gatto’s secret support for John Setka · The Sydney Morning Herald
‘Without you the union is gone’: Mick Gatto’s secret support for John Setka · The Age
‘Without you the union is gone’: Mick Gatto’s secret support for John Setka · WAtoday
‘Without you the union is gone’: Mick Gatto’s secret support for John Setka · Brisbane Times

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedSecret messages reveal Mick Gatto supported John Setka during the domestic violence case.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Thanks john for publicly defending our friendship,” he texted. “I do love ya. Without you the union is gone.””
Not in the sourcesThe Age obtained the text messages.
SupportedSetka received private backing from Gatto and female Labor politicians and union figures.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Setka’s phone had lit up with text messages from female federal and state Labor politicians and union figures.”
Partly supportedThe union movement’s top officials publicly demanded Setka’s resignation.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “It included Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) secretary Sally McManus, who had publicly called for Setka to resign ... Australia’s largest unions ... had publicly agreed and piled on too.”
Partly supportedThe harassment and stalking case was brought by Setka’s wife, Emma Walters, and details were leaked to the media.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Setka’s fury had begun building days before when someone ... leaked the details of the domestic violence case in early 2019 that had been lodged against him in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.”
SupportedSetka later pleaded guilty to harassment and breaching a family violence order.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Setka had decided to plead guilty to a charge of harassment and breaching a family violence order”
SupportedGatto texted Setka, “Thanks john for publicly defending our friendship,” and, “I do love ya. Without you the union is gone.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Thanks john for publicly defending our friendship,” he texted. “I do love ya. Without you the union is gone.””
SupportedBronwyn Halfpenny texted Setka, “You are a great comrade to working people so the establishment will always want to bring u down. Hope to see you soon. Xxx.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “She had texted: “You are a great comrade to working people so the establishment will always want to bring u down. Hope to see you soon. Xxx.””
SupportedLuba Grigorovitch repeatedly sent Setka supportive messages and vowed to direct her union to back him.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Luba Grigorovitch (now a state Labor MP and minister) had repeatedly sent messages of support, vowing to direct her union to back Setka.”
SupportedGrigorovitch wrote, “We will get through this John xx.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““We will get through this John xx,” she had promised.”
SupportedTanja Kovac advised Setka to champion “the need to talk about family and gendered violence” and wrote, “Be strong, genuine, sorry & the leader I know you are.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “It was vital that Setka be seen to publicly champion “the need to talk about family and gendered violence”, texted Kovac. “Be strong, genuine, sorry & the leader I know you are,” she had advised”
SupportedSetka had led tens of thousands of protesters and stormed out of the 2018 ALP national conference after insulting Kevin Rudd.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Setka had led tens of thousands of chanting protesters through Melbourne’s CBD ... In 2018, he had stormed out of the national conference ... having labelled its former leader Kevin Rudd a “f---ing dog” and a “maggot””