The NSW ETU loaned $500,000 to the state ALP in late 2010 without getting approval from the union's state council, the Heydon Royal Commission heard today.
FWC Commissioner Bernie Riordan and lawyer Bob Whyburn are among the witnesses the Heydon Royal Commission has called for its inquiry into the ETU's NSW branch, with hearings beginning Monday.
The Heydon Royal Commission will consider the allegations made against former HSU leader Kathy Jackson later this year, once the Federal Court rules in civil proceedings brought by her former union.
The Heydon Royal Commission will investigate the interaction between union leaders and the ALP, as its inquiries take a more political turn in its second year.
The Heydon Royal Commission has begun referring its interim findings against unions and individuals to police and other investigatory authorities, including ASIC and the ACCC.
The ACCC is continuing investigations into allegations aired in the Heydon Royal Commission of anti-competitive conduct by the Transport Workers Union and Toll Holdings.
The AiG has urged the Federal Government to release the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission's review of the Fair Work regime before next week's first anniversary of its September 2013 election, and said business was becoming "increasingly impatient" with the slow pace of reform.
The Heydon Royal Commission will give parties advance warning of evidence in in which they are "substantially and directly interested", under the terms of a new practice note.
There is no reason why proceedings shouldn't be launched to deregister the CFMEU's construction and general division, according to former Royal Commissioner Roger Gyles, who says NSW's Greiner-Fahey Government should have taken up his recommendation to eradicate one of its former predecessors, the NSW BWIU.
