CFMEU administrator Michael Crosby has shed new light on threats made against him by former Victorian union boss John Setka, while defending the sweeping reforms underway inside one of Australia’s most troubled unions. In a wide‑ranging interview with 7.30, Crosby also cast doubt on comments made by former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan and questioned the broader value of royal commissions.
Crosby took over the CFMEU in May after the Albanese government placed the union into administration, following explosive revelations that organised crime groups had infiltrated its ranks. His predecessor, Mark Irving, stepped down earlier this year, leaving Crosby to lead what he describes as a complete cultural overhaul.
He confirmed that police had issued the Victorian equivalent of an apprehended violence order (AVO) in response to threats from Setka. “There’s not much I can do about it. The police have taken out the Victorian equivalent of an AVO,” he said. “I’m basically ignoring it and moving on.”
Despite the turbulence, Crosby said he remains focused on the union’s transformation. “I think about the work that we’re doing in this union, and I’m incredibly proud of the people who have come into this union to reform it.”
He insisted that criminal influence had been dramatically reduced since the CFMEU entered administration. “They have very little grip on the union,” he said. “We’ve moved off 27 leaders, 150 staff members of various kinds have gone away. We’ve got a whole new team in there rebuilding that union from the ground up.”
Crosby’s comments paint a picture of a union attempting to reclaim legitimacy after years of scandal and a leader determined to push ahead despite the threats and political noise surrounding the overhaul.
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