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Despite corruption crackdowns, Gatto still has his mitts deep in the CFMEU pie

Ben Schneiders Investigative Reporter October 3, 2025 — 7.00pm

For decades gangland figure Mick Gatto has lurked around the construction industry representing builders and developers while doing covert deals with senior CFMEU figures.

Typically, the quid pro quo was murky, but so close was the relationship between Gatto and disgraced former CFMEU Victoria leader John Setka that they called each other “brother” and in one text Gatto even told Setka, “I love ya”.

The problems at the CFMEU revealed by this masthead’s Building Bad investigation went far beyond the close friendship between Setka and Gatto, and involved the exposure of widespread union links to org

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