Say what you will about John Setka (and you can say plenty: domestic violence perpetrator, bully, enabler of underworld thugs and bikies), at least he had the sense to quit the CFMEU when it became clear the rot infesting his union could no longer be papered over.

The same can’t be said of certain other CFMEU construction division bosses who, rather than sacrifice themselves in the interests of their union members, cling on to their well-paid jobs as Rome burns.

CFMEU figures Derek Christopher, Michael Greenfield and his father, Darren Greenfield.Credit: The Age

Yes, things are truly a shambles when it’s Setka leading by example.

In my 20 years of exposing the corruption and misbehaviour of CEOs, politicians and others who hold power, usually even the most egotistical know when the jig is up.

Labor senator Sam Dastyari leapt fast and early when his dodgy dealings with Chinese donors were exposed, killing his own career in the interests of his beloved ALP. It was the right thing to do and, ultimately, redemptive.

In contrast, when I exposed Liberal politician Matthew Guy’s dinner with an alleged mafia godfather (seared into readers’ memories with the headline “Lobster with a mobster”), he clung on to the party’s Victorian leadership.

Still, Guy has nothing on war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith. He not only........

© WA Today