"They do not reflect our values or the work that unions do to campaign against family and domestic violence and should be immediately withdrawn and apologised for,"she said of the comments,revealed byThe Sydney Morning Herald andThe Age.
"Rosie's courage and work has improved Australia for the better by making important progress toward the goal that our movement shares of ending family and domestic violence."
Ms Batty,who was appointed anOfficer of the Order of Australia for her advocacy work on Sunday,said what should have been a day of celebration has been"hijacked"by the furore over Mr Setka.
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"I feel a bit sad that on a day I'm supposed to be celebrating an award,I'm struggling to know what to say about a man that I don't even know,"she said.
Mr Setka,the secretary of the Victorian branch of the powerful Construction,Forestry,Maritime,Mining and Energy Union,had not made contact with Ms Batty at the time of publication.
He has previously said his comments about Ms Batty did not amount to an attack on her and those claiming otherwise had taken him out of context or were being mischievous. He also said he had great respect for Ms Batty.