Royal commission has ‘no intention’ to recall Bill Shorten for trade union enquiry

Opposition leader Bill Shorten may not be recalled for further questioning over his tenure at the Australian Workers’ Union, the trade union royal commission has hinted.

“Mr Shorten is not on the witness list and there is no intention to call him,” The Guardian quoted a spokesman for the commission as saying on Friday. “No other party has applied to cross-examine Mr Shorten. Any application, if made, would need to be considered by the commissioner on its merits.”

Commissioner Dyson Heydon hinted the final report of the inquiry might be submitted to Peter Cosgrove, the governor general, by the Dec. 31 deadline. The public hearings are expected to be over by Nov. 6 after the commission examines the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union’s Victorian and Queensland matters. It will also see to the New South Wales branch of the National Union of Workers.

The commission questioned Shorten in July about the purpose of companies making payments to the union. The Labor leader was also asked about the industrial negotiations he supervised.

It emerged on the first day of interrogation that Shorten had received around $75,000 for his 2007 campaign. He allegedly received a company-funded campaign director as well.

The Australian Workers Union and construction giant John Holland allegedly struck up a deal where $100 million was given in worker productivity savings. Shorten was in charge when the alleged deal took place. From 1998 to 2006, he was the secretary of the AWU’s Victorian branch. He also served as the union’s national secretary from 2001 to 2007.

Former John Holland executive Stephen Sasse told the commission that it was Shorten who had proposed the payment. However, Shorten has maintained his stance that he was not involved in the alleged deal. "I did not strike any agreement of the nature you are raising -- full stop," The Australian quoted Shorten as telling reporters this week.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.