This letter of 15 May, 1992 from Ray Neal, the Assistant Director of the WA Corporate Affairs department is addressed to Julia Gillard at her Slater and Gordon office.  

He refers to Ms Gillard's letter of 13 May, 1992 "Your Ref IU:JEG" (industrial unit, Julia Eileen Gillard).   He says, "the explanation which you have provided in relation to the purposes of the association is accepted".  He goes on to state that the rules of the association should be amended after incorporation.

The letter from Neal states that Corporate Affairs is prepared to incorporate on the understanding that a post-incorporation event will take place within 30 days, that is that the Association undertakes to go through the process of amending its rules to include a new Rule 3A.   That is a post-incorporation event. 

This memorandum of 21 May, 1992 is from Julia Gillard to Ralph Blewitt.   She sets out detailed advice as to the form of a letter Ralph Blewitt should send to Mr Neal.   Note Neal has at that stage agreed to the incorporation on the basis of the explanation delivered by Ms Gillard in her 13 May letter.

Here is the transcript of the record of interview between Ms Gillard and her managing partner Peter Gordon, dated 11 September, 1995.   Note that Gillard agrees that instructions were coming from Bruce Wilson.   Note also her assurance that she had nothing to do with the Association after her 13 May letter.   Someone is telling porkies.   Again.

PETER GORDON: All right, well, let's talk about the AWU Workplace Reform Association Account. That account, as you've said, is an account which was the account belonging to an incorporated association by the same name which was incorporated by Slater & Gordon at (Bruce) Wilson's, on Wilson's instructions following your advice to him which you described earlier.

JULIA GILLARD: That's right.

PG: And that happened in or about mid-1992.

JG: That's right.

PG: And last Monday I think you gave to Paul Mulvaney a follow-up which demonstrates that Slater & Gordon had drafted model rules for, for that, had submitted those rules to the relevant Western Australian government authority, that there'd been a letter from the authority suggesting that it might be a trade union and therefore ineligible for incorporation under that legislation, and that we had prepared a response submitted on Wilson's instructions to that authority suggesting that in fact it wasn't a trade union and arguing the case for its incorporation. My recollection is that all of that happened in or about mid-1992. Is that right?

PG: Yes. And to the extent that work was done on that file in relation to that it was done by you?

JG: That's right.

PG: And did you get advice from anyone else in the firm in relation to any of those matters?

JG: No I didn't.

PG: Did Tony Lang have anything to do with the model rules or the drafting of them?

JG: No, I obtained, I had just in my own personal precedent file a set of rules for Socialist Forum which is an incorporated association in which I'm personally involved. Tony Lang and I drew those rules some years ago. Tony more than me. And I've just kept them hanging around as something I cut and paste from for drafting purposes, and I obtained, I don't quite recall how now but I obtained the model rules under the WA act and I must have done the drafting just relying on those two sources. I don't have any recollection of sitting down with Tony or any other practitioner and talking through the draft of the rules.

PG: Do you recall whether when it was necessary to argue the case with the, with the relevant Western Australian authority, whether you consulted anyone else in the firm as to what would or would not get, become acceptable or appropriate?

JG: I once again don't recall talking to anybody else in the firm about it.

PG: Beyond that, and it seems from the file that after that letter it was successfully accepted as an incorporated association and duly was created and presumably accounts were set up. I should ask did we have anything to do with the setting up of the accounts or was that done by the officers of the incorporated association?

JG: Slater & Gordon didn't have anything, did not have anything to do with setting up bank accounts for that association. We attended to the incorporation.

PG: Can I ask you then following the last thing that we did to setting up the incorporation, which appears from the file to be the letter arguing that it ought to be not construed as a trade union, did you have anything personally to do with that incorporated association afterwards?

JG: No I did not.

PG: Right, to the best of your knowledge did anyone at Slater & Gordon?

JG: To my knowledge no one at Slater & Gordon had anything to do with it post that time.

The Federal Government's budget contains funding for the Royal Commission detailed here (capital), here (expense funding) and here.

Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption — establishment

The Government will provide $53.3 million over two years (including $5.3 million in capital funding) to establish a Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption.

The Royal Commission will inquire into the governance arrangements and alleged financial irregularities associated with the affairs of employee associations, including trade unions, and the adequacy of existing laws as they relate to the governance and financial management arrangements of these entities.

The Royal Commission is expected to report by 31 December 2014.

The cost of this measure will be offset by redirecting funding from the Employment, Industry and Infrastructure and Regional Development portfolios.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 14 March 2014 issued by the Attorney‑General and the Minister for Employment.

Here are some photos I took at the Commission's new premises when I visited a couple of weeks ago.   Looks like they're settling in.

These two documents were tendered as Exhibits by Counsel for Bruce Wilson today at the Royal Commission into Union Governance and Corruption.

Hell hath no fury like a former potential Prime Minister scorned.

We will have a lot more analysis tomorrow on these documents.   For now, what do you think?   How does this correspondence affect the position of Bruce's mistress who only provided advice as a lawyer and did nothing wrong - all the while acting with the interests of her client (the AWU) at the fore?

Great Australian Woman.   Julia Gillard.   The proof is here.

Dissenting opinion given under oath here.

High profile women honoured for their contribution to education

Victoria University will honour two great Australian women – the Hon Julia Gillard and Mrs Kirsty Sword Gusmao – at the University’s graduation ceremonies this week.

Ms Gillard and Mrs Sword Gusmao will be admitted to the degree of Doctor of the University,honoris causa in recognition of their significant contributions to education.

Victoria University, Chancellor Mr George Pappas said, “On behalf of Victoria University Council I am delighted to acknowledge the work  of The Hon Julia Gillard and Mrs Kirsty  Sword Gusmao in promoting the crucial importance of education in developing a strong and dynamic society.” 

Julia Gillard championed education throughout her political career and one of her early leadership roles (1983) was as National Education Vice-President of the Australian Union of Students (AUS) and later that she became president of the NUS.

Mr Pappas said, “We wish to honour Julia Gillard for her outstanding contribution to Australian society as a Member of Federal Parliament representing the western region of Melbourne. Ms Gillard championed important reforms of the education sector designed to enhance educational outcomes for all Australians.

“On becoming Australia’s 27^th Prime Minister, she provided strong leadership and introduced significant social initiatives including sweeping changes to the delivery of disability care,” he said.

Mrs Kirsty Sword Gusmao will be awarded an honorary degree by the University in recognition of her outstanding community service in championing the importance of education in improving the lives of women and children in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

Mr Pappas said, “She has worked tirelessly to promote educational initiatives and to generate support for women’s rights and the education of women in order to nurture them as leaders.

“Victoria University is proud to be honouring these two extraordinary women as they exemplify the University’s mission to provide opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to further their education and make a difference in the world. It will be a memorable week for all of us at VU.”

Media Contact:

Christine White, Public Affairs Unit, Victoria University

9919 4322; 0434 602884; [email protected]

Here is a link to the transcipt of yesterday's evidence heard by the Royal Commission.   This snippet explains why we are coming back at 2PM this afternoon.   Rather than turning his mind to the evidence, Mr Wilson turned his fists to the reporters.

THE COMMISSIONER: Yes, thanks, Mr Galbally. Yes,
 23 Dr Hanscombe.
 24
 25 DR HANSCOMBE: Commissioner, I find myself in something of
 26 a difficulty. Mr Blewitt has, of course, been called at
 27 very short notice and it was not possible for those who
 28 assist you to prepare a statement. There is a great deal
 29 of subject matter and, indeed, of chronology traversed in
 30 the evidence he has given today, and I need an opportunity
 31 to take some instructions from Mr Wilson.
 32
 33 It is my understanding from discussions at the Bar
 34 table with those on either side of me that Mr Blewitt is
 35 content to come back, if the Commission seeks him to come
 36 back, and answer questions, and I would ask the Commission
 37 to do that at a suitable time.
 38
 39 There are two topics which are quite discrete, and
 40 concerning which I don't need to confer with Mr Wilson,
 41 that I could ask him about today. As I understand it,
 42 there is a lack of enthusiasm for that course, because it
 43 would, of course, mean that Mr Blewitt left the Commission
 44 while under cross-examination. I am in your hands as to
 45 what would better assist you.
 46
 47 THE COMMISSIONER: I am at the moment, subject to anything
 
 
 
 1 else you want to say, strongly opposed to the idea that
 2 Mr Blewitt should leave the witness box, leave Australia
 3 and go back to Malaysia, because in the event that his
 4 intentions change, I just don't see how it is possible to
 5 get him returned to Australia.
 6
 7 So if that possibility is ruled out, what other
 8 possibilities are there?
 9
 10 DR HANSCOMBE: We had understood that Mr Blewitt could
 11 come back next Monday, but that possibility appears to have
 12 disappeared this morning. I don't know if Mr Blewitt can
 13 possibly come back later this week, which would at least
 14 give me a chance to take some instructions from Mr Wilson.
 15
 16 THE COMMISSIONER: What about tomorrow?
 17
 18 DR HANSCOMBE: There's a lot of material to cover. Is it
 19 possible that you might sit on Wednesday instead?
 20
 21 THE COMMISSIONER: Let's just ask what Mr Stoljar thinks
 22 about that. What do you think about that suggestion?
 23
 24 MR STOLJAR: The question of where one might sit has not -
 25 it may be possible.
 26
 27 THE COMMISSIONER: But not here?
 28
 29 MR STOLJAR: Yes, and some other things would need to be
 30 rearranged. Is tomorrow afternoon a possible compromise?
 31
 32 THE COMMISSIONER: Yes. Dr Hanscombe, the problem is
 33 this: I understand your difficulties about the lateness of
 34 the notice, but the fact that there is a possible
 35 controversy about what happened between 1992 and 1995 or so
 36 between Mr Wilson and Mr Blewitt primarily has been well
 37 known for a long time. Mr Wilson has had dealings with the
 38 media in which he has set out a version of some of the
 39 events which may or may not now be controversial.
 40
 41 That there was going to be a commission of this kind
 42 was mentioned in the political arena last year. Its
 43 existence was announced in February. The Letters Patent
 44 were granted in March.
 45
 46 DR HANSCOMBE: All those things are, of course, completely
 47 beyond argument. The problem is for me personally --
 
 
 
 
 1
 2 THE COMMISSIONER: And they are also beyond your control.
 3 But I'm just saying that if there is a difficulty, it may
 4 be partly Mr Wilson's feet that we have to lie the
 5 responsibility for it at.
 6
 7 I think that 2pm tomorrow might be the best
 8 compromise. If it doesn't finish tomorrow, then we can
 9 spill over into Wednesday in some place other than this.
 10
 11 DR HANSCOMBE: As the Commission please.
 12
 13 THE COMMISSIONER: Has Mr Wilson been listening to the
 14 evidence today?
 15
 16 DR HANSCOMBE: Mr Wilson is not in the hearing room.
 17 I spoke briefly to Mr Wilson at lunchtime. He may be
 18 listening on the live streaming. I can't, as I stand here,
 19 answer that question completely.
 20
 21 All I can say is that although everything, of course,
 22 you say about the chronology is correct, Commissioner,
 23 I personally was briefed on Friday and I need, to the
 24 extent I can, to assist you, to get my head around the
 25 detail of the facts. We will, of course, try our best
 26 between now and 2pm tomorrow to do that.
 27
 28 THE COMMISSIONER: Yes. Obviously the situation is not
 29 ideal from anyone's point of view --
 30
 31 DR HANSCOMBE: I accept that.
 32
 33 THE COMMISSIONER: -- let alone yours, but I think it may
 34 be the best working compromise. If we don't finish
 35 tomorrow, we can carry on.
 36
 37 DR HANSCOMBE: If the Commission please.
 38
 39 THE COMMISSIONER: Thank you, Dr Hanscombe. I think that
 40 is what we will have to do.
 41
 42 Are you available tomorrow, Mr Galbally?
 43
 44 MR GALBALLY: Yes, I am, Commissioner.
 45
 46 THE COMMISSIONER: We will adjourn until 2pm tomorrow
 47 unless there is any other business we can conduct this
 
 
 
 1 afternoon.
 2
 3 MR STOLJAR: I think not, Commissioner.
 4
 5 THE COMMISSIONER: All right. We will adjourn until 2pm
 6 tomorrow in this place.
 7
 8 AT 3.10PM THE COMMISSION WAS ADJOURNED
 9 TO TUESDAY, 13 MAY 2015 AT 2PM

Here's a link to the ABC Lateline story.

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Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: Former Australian Workers Union official Ralph Blewitt has told the Royal commission into trade unions he paid cash from the union's slush fund to pay for renovations to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Melbourne home.

Outside the Sydney hearing, punches were thrown, while inside, there were claims of standover tactics and fraud. 

Adrian Raschella reports.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA, REPORTER: It's a nasty start to the trade union inquiry. Former AWU official Bruce Wilson allegedly assaulted a news photographer outside the hearing, while inside, his former colleague, Ralph Blewitt, didn't mince words.

RALPH BLEWITT, FORMER AUST. WORKERS UNION OFFICIAL: I hate to say it now, but in hindsight, he was a standover man.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: Blewitt said in the early '90s he, under the direction of Bruce Wilson, set up a slush fund to raise money for union elections. The fund, called the Workplace Reform Association, would send sham invoices to Thiess Construction for work never done on a project south of Perth.

RALPH BLEWITT: The whole thing was kept completely secret from anybody else.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: Ralph Blewitt said he and Bruce Wilson met with the AWU Slater & Gordon legal team, which included Wilson's girlfriend at the time, Julia Gillard. Blewitt said she helped draft the documents to incorporate the slush fund.

QUESTIONER: Whose handwriting is that in black ink?

RALPH BLEWITT: That's Julia Gillard's handwriting.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: Blewitt told the inquiry more than $90,000 of slush fund money was used to buy Mr Wilson a property in Melbourne. He said Wilson and Julia Gillard were at the auction.

The former union official also recounted a time he went to a house undergoing renovations. Julia Gillard and Bruce Wilson were both there. Blewitt said Wilson asked him to hand over cash to a workman.

RALPH BLEWITT: Which I did. I counted off $7,000, gave it to that gentlemen, he stuck it into the front pocket of his bib-and-brace overhaul.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: Ralph Blewitt told the inquiry that at one point there was so much cash floating around, that he had to bury $10,000 in his garden. He said in hindsight it was a stupid thing to do because the money got damp, so he had to take it to the Reserve Bank, where they exchanged the cash for clean notes.

Both Julia Gillard and Bruce Wilson have previously denied any wrongdoing. 

Adrian Raschella, Lateline.

One of a series of magnificent photos shot by AAP photographer Dan Himbrechts yesterday outside the Royal Commission.   I think he has subtly captured the essence of Bruce Morton Wilson.

Here's some of Hedley Thomas's story in The Australian today.

BRUCE Wilson’s bad day at the national royal commission into union corruption started in Sydney shortly after 10am. That was when former High Court judge Dyson Heydon triggered the beginning of formal proceedings. Something that might once have seemed very unlikely was now, officially, open for business and deadly serious.

The day only got worse as Wilson’s former bagman in the Australian Workers Union, Ralph Blewitt, gave long-awaited and incriminating evidence under oath of an allegedly ­corrupt conspiracy involving a slush fund, allegedly set up for the two men with the help of Julia Gillard in the 1990s.

Blewitt sang like a canary about dodgy accounts and cash pay-offs that had nothing to do with the welfare of members of the AWU or the supposed objectives of the slush fund.

By lunchtime, Wilson snapped — and his bad day became plain diabolical. He went the knuckle on The Australian’s photographer Sam Mooy in an altercation filmed near the aptly named Bent Street in Sydney’s CBD. The images of flailing fists and shoulder charges he directed at Mooy shortly after 1.30pm were circulating within minutes.

For Wilson, who was once groomed by the AWU’s “godfather” Bill Ludwig to be a future prime minister, the photographs of him instigating a violent confrontation reinforced his reputation as a militant union thug, albeit with a charismatic edge that won over the members.

Wilson had elected to come to Sydney yesterday to talk to his lawyer, Kristine Hanscombe QC, but he wanted to keep his head down on the first day of public hearings. He had stayed away from the building at 1 Farrer Place, not wanting to be seen, but at lunchtime he was briefed by Hanscombe at a nearby cafe on Bent Street.

Ben Fordham, radio 2GB’s afternoon presenter who had come to the hearing for a sticky-beak, rubbed his eyes as he saw a casually dressed man bearing an uncanny resemblance to Wilson walking to the cafe. “Isn’t that Bruce Wilson?” Fordham asked quietly. Mooy and his photographic colleagues were soon on the spot.

Fordham had left the public hearing about 30 minutes earlier, mildly bemused that Mark Latham, the former Labor opposition leader who sat in the public gallery taking notes, declined to shake his hand or talk to him in the lobby. Fordham tried to understand the snub.

Perhaps it had something to do with his regular radio interviews of people who regard the AWU slush fund as a matter of significant public interest.

Unlike Latham, who hoped to write a book claiming it was all part of a vast right-wing conspiracy propelled by “Brucers’’ to unfairly damage Gillard.

As always, there's more at The Australian.