The head of the construction union says he accepts the word of a senior union figure who denies he had renovations paid for in exchange for peace on building sites.
Builder Andrew Zaf told the ABC's 7.30 program that during the mid-1990s he paid $10,000 for union organiser John Setka to receive a free Colorbond roof and other goods for his house renovation in return for "peace and quiet" on his sites.
Mr Setka, the secretary of Victoria's Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), has categorically denied the claims.
CFMEU national secretary Dave Noonan said Mr Setka has told him he paid for the roof.
"He makes the point that he purchased, at a commercial rate, roofing material from this individual 20 years ago," he told ABC radio.
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"His denial is very clear and categorical and I accept his word."
Mr Noonan said he would be asking Mr Setka to back up his denial with documentation.
He said the allegations had taken 20 years to come to light and were made by a man whose credibility was in question.
Mr Noonan said the union would fully co-operate with a police investigation into the matter.
He said he was not aware if Mr Setka planned to launch defamation proceedings, but said Mr Setka would likely be consulting with his lawyers.
