The TWU has defended its handling of "questionable conduct" by two former secretaries of its WA branch over the purchase of two $150,000 "luxury utilities", which has been investigated by the Heydon Royal Commission.
Fair Work Commission Vice President Michael Lawler says he has been under "enormous and sustained personal stress" since 2011, due to legal proceedings and media reportage involving his partner, former HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson.
Former HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson is now an undischarged bankrupt, throwing doubt on the civil proceedings in which the union is seeking to recover about $1.3 million.
The Heydon Royal Commission witnessed fiery exchanges during the cross-examination of Sydney identity George Alex on Friday after the lawyer for a CFMEU "whistleblower" accused him of being a “thief” who did “grubby deals” with the union's officials to “rip off workers”.
HSU Victorian No. 1 branch general manager Kimberley Kitching completed tests required to gain entry permits for officials in early 2013 with the "knowledge and authorisation" of branch secretary Diana Asmar, the Fair Work Commission found today.
Sydney identity George Alex returns to the witness box at the Heydon Royal Commission today after denying earlier this week that he has ever paid kickbacks to CFMEU officials.
Fair Work Commission Vice President Michael Lawler was involved in a 2012 discussion with NSW police about their investigation into the HSU, according to an affidavit filed with the Federal Court.
The FWC has banned a CFMEU official from holding an entry permit for 19 months over his "serious and ugly" behaviour towards an FWBC inspector on a building site last year that was captured on video and played to the Heydon Royal Commission.
The HSU's long-running case to recover about $1.3 million from former national secretary Kathy Jackson is set down for trial from June 29, after the Federal Court rejected a last-ditch application for a permanent stay.
CFMEU construction and general division NSW branch secretary Brian Parker today continued to deny having a personal relationship with Sydney identity George Alex, despite almost 20 telephone recordings that suggest the contrary.
