20th Aug 2012, 3:54 PM – Senate Motions - Health Services Union - Greater penalties for misconduct

The majority voted against a motion, which means it was rejected. It had been introduced by Liberal Senator Helen Kroger.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) Mr Michael Williamson’s recent roles as President of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), member of the ALP Industrial Committee, Executive Member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Vice President of Unions NSW, Vice President of the ALP New South Wales Branch and Trustee of First State Super, and

(ii) findings by Mr Ian Temby, QC and Mr Dennis Robertson, FCA that, while Mr Williamson was General Secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU) East Branch, he, his family, his company and his close associates benefitted from $20 million in union members’ funds which was spent without proper financial control;

(b) condemns this use of union members’ funds at the HSU by Mr Williamson as found by Mr Temby and Mr Robertson; and

(c) calls for stronger penalties under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 than the present $6 600 monetary penalty and to include penalties under the Corporations Act 2001.