Trade Union Royal Commission is about to commence further HSU hearings
Friday, 29 August 2014
Kathy Jackson is being re-examined by her Counsel Mr Pritchard.
She explained that by March 2009 she and Jeff Jackson were living in different households and that the account into which Mr Jackson deposited the $50,000 cheque was an account exclusively operated by Mr Jackson.
Ms Jackson has described her efforts this week to obtain evidence of various bank statements, mortgage statements, cashing in of entitlements and borrowings from her parents in her efforts to source funds to pay to her former husband in a property settlement pursuant to their separation.
Ms Jackson states that she did file appropriate returns with the Fair Work Commission and its predecessor organisations. She states that she does not recall receiving any letters of demand or similar from the FWC and if she had she would have tasked the appropriate staff or external advisors to complete the paper work.
Ms Jackson stated that she attended many ACTU and similar courses regarding the conduct of union accounts. She states that she sought advice from fellow unionists like Bill Shorten as to how to set up and operate "off-line" accounts and that she did what she did with the approval of her BCOM. She stated it was impossible to operate a contemporary Australian trade union without offline accounts because other unions operated with them and to operate without like defences left the undefended union vulnerable.
AT 9.44 MS JACKSON WAS EXCUSED FROM FURTHER ATTENDANCE
The Commission heard considerable legal argument about the admissibility of various elements of the lengthy witness statement of HSU official Chris Brown.
Two further witness statements for Dr Rosemary Kelly were tendered into evidence.
A witness statement of Ms Carol Glenn and Annexures were received into evidence.
Mr Temby submitted that in his belief the Commission had received into evidence the sum-total of statements and evidence it required. With the qualification regarding the Victoria No 1 Branch and perhaps matters arising from this morning the Commissioner agreed.
The Commissioner explained that he expects oral evidence to be completed within 4 weeks. Written submissions from Counsel will then be circulated, affected parties will then have the opportunity to reply. Counsel Assisting will then reply - and perhaps a further few days will then be available for oral argument. The Commissioner emphasised that the most important elements of that process will be the written submissions made by Counsel.
Counsel Assisting reminded the Commission that one matter remained outstanding in relation to the Peter Mylan evidence (presumably the telephone intercept warrant).
THE COMMISSION'S PUBLIC HEARING IS ADJOURNED UNTIL 10AM MONDAY.
I'll bet my backside private hearings are on today.