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Updated August 14, 2026 \u2014 3:42pm,first published 2:03pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Former construction union boss John Setka has been arrested and charged for a third time over sending allegedly threatening and harassing messages to CFMEU administrators.<\/p>\n The 61-year-old was arrested on Friday morning and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates\u2019 Court later today.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has since been charged with using a telecom communications device to menace, using a telecom communications device to offend and two charges of commit indictable offence whilst on bail,\u201d a Victoria Police spokesperson said.<\/p>\n The charges relate to comments allegedly made by Setka on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cPolice will allege additional threats were made, and an IVO was served on the man on Sunday 19 July,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n Police established Operation Hawk in mid-2024, in response to this masthead\u2019s Building Bad<\/a> series, which exposed criminal behaviour and corruption in the CFMEU.<\/p>\n The former union boss was first arrested in November<\/a> and charged with seven counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend the union\u2019s government-appointed administrator, Mark Irving, KC.<\/p>\n He was charged a second time, in February,<\/a> over allegations he issued a threat on Christmas Day to an official from the Albanese government-backed administration that took control of the CFMEU in 2024.<\/p>\n Related Article When asked about the allegations at the time, Setka said he did not threaten anyone, telling this masthead: \u201cPeople should just toughen up and drink a bit of concrete and harden up a bit \u2026 It is the building industry.\u201d<\/p>\n He said CFMEU staff were behaving like \u201crose petals\u201d, and claimed the prosecution against him was politically driven.<\/p>\n The court previously heard the message which Sekta allegedly sent on Christmas Day told an official: \u201cHope you both have a shit xmas, you no good sell out c—s, go and have a sook to the hawk task force you weak woke f—ers.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/207d576dd051e52b2be79d135e1f296a834ce105.jpeg\")
John Setka is facing further charges.Victoria Police<\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/35345d09d00022810b7508d3d18f0a104dc2f01bbafdfb94a83b313911d55388.jpeg\")
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