FWC GM Murray Furlong has begun prosecuting former senior CFMEU construction division Victorian branch officials - primarily president Rob Graauwmans - for allegedly authorising payment of more than $300,000 of union funds to printing companies to benefit ex-HSU leader Diana Asmar as she campaigned for re-election.
The Federal Court has pushed FWC general manager Murray Furlong's prosecution of Diana Asmar back to next month and asked to her to provide a neurologist's report to ascertain whether she "is capable of managing her own affairs in the proceeding".
RAFFWU is accusing new Victorian Premier Ben Carroll of rewarding his "political masters" at the SDA after his Government introduced legislation that will shut down the unregistered union.
A new analysis argues CFMEU corruption is a response to declining union power after the deregulation of IR and the shift to decentralised wage-setting.
As a new team prepares to take over the helm of the NTEU, the FWC has approved a rule change that will enable more members to vote in future elections, in a decision delayed by an administrative error and the union's request to postpone it to avoid irregularities.
A CFMEU construction division official once deemed remorseless for multiple breaches and who is currently defending two court cases has won a new entry permit, with administrator Michael Crosby telling the FWC that past leaders "continually" let the organiser down.
The HSU Victorian No.1 branch's auditor has resigned after an investigation by the FWC's general manager found the union's financial reports materially mis-stated elements of its financial position and performance.
UWU national president Jo Schofield has launched her own election campaign, after secretary Tim Kennedy threw his support behind a rank and file member for president.
CFMEU construction division administrator Mark Irving last year "counselled" then Victorian branch secretary Zach Smith for his "serious error of judgement" in permitting an organiser to meet with underworld figure and "fixer" Mick Gatto, after FWC general manager raised concerns.
