John Setka’s estranged wife accused of plotting to kill him
The estranged wife of John Setka has been charged with incitement to commit conspiracy to murder the Victorian construction union boss.
Emma Walters, a former lawyer, was interviewed at the Spencer Street police headquarters on Wednesday over claims she asked a third party to provide a gun to shoot Setka.
CFMEU secretary John Setka and Emma Walters leave the Melbourne Magistrates Court in June 2019.Credit:Jason South
In response to questions from The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Victoria Police confirmed she was also charged with threats to kill and attempting to procure a firearm.
When contacted by The Age, Walters said: “I deny that allegation.”
Setka, who is the Victorian secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, and Walters have been involved in a long-running, vitriolic legal battle involving allegations that Setka committed acts of domestic violence and repeated breaches of intervention orders.
Walters moved interstate with the couple’s two children because she feared for her safety but has recently returned.
Emma Walters with John Setka in 2019 after he was convictedCredit:Jason South
She is also suing the Victorian government over claims police failed to protect her after she made reports of alleged repeated family violence by Setka. She has claimed Setka has harassed her for years.
The Age has previously reported lawyers for Walters allege Victoria Police failed a duty of care to protect her by not adequately dealing with the numerous statements and complaints she made to Footscray police.
In her Supreme Court writ, Walters alleged she was the victim of “numerous” family violence incidents involving Setka and that four separate intervention orders had been in place to protect her.
Setka has denied allegations of domestic violence. In 2019, he was convicted of harassing Walters and breaching the orders. They then reconciled but have again separated.
In a statement, Victoria Police said a woman was charged “after she allegedly attempted to acquire a firearm and made threats to kill a man earlier this month”.
“Investigators executed a search warrant at a residential address in Footscray on Wednesday where they seized a mobile phone,” the statement said.
The statement said a 46-year-old Footscray woman was then charged with incitement to commit conspiracy to murder, incitement to acquire a firearm and making threats to kill.
Setka declined to comment. Walters could not be reached for comment. She was bailed to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 5.
With Lachlan Abbott
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