Federal Government
JUDGE HANGING: What an inquiry into Michael Lawler will reveal
Judges are meant to behave in a certain way.
Michael Lawler is the equivalent of a federal court judge, a judicial officer, in his capacity as a $400K per annum Vice-President of Fair Work Australia.
The Health Services Union is a registered organisation administered by and frequently subject to the rulings of FWA.
Lawler’s lover is Kathy Jackson, who runs the national office of the HSU and is the $270K per annum Executive President of the infamous HSUeast branch.
That arrangement – per se – is an awkward one.
But certainly not unmanageable if Lawler acted with appropriate judicial reserve, discretion and distance.
Far from that, VEXNEWS and other outlets, have explored and exposed an incredible extent of active meddling by His Honour Michael Lawler into the internal workings of the HSU.
These include, but are not limited to:
■ Drafting Kathy Jackson’s personal correspondence in relation to HSU matters;
■ Writing, or substantially editing, an ironically titled website “CleanupHSUeast”;
■ As revealed on ABC’s 730 last night, making bogus complaints to NSW Police about his lover’s rivals at the HSU;
■ Telephoning and threatening individual HSU officers who failed to comply with his lover’s desires; and
■ Attending and speaking at an off-the-record briefing of industrial relations journalists last year where he made a drunken series of attacks on rivals of his lover and other union officials at the gathering at the Hotel Spencer.
And there is even more to come.
If Lawler was still a Sydney barrister, there’d be nothing wrong with him helping out his lover (although false reports to Police are serious and unlawful).
But as a judicial officer, whose activities necessarily reflect on Fair Work Australia and all of his colleagues, this is highly inappropriate and warrants his removal.
Consider that in Victoria, a magistrate’s neighbourhood dispute and scuffle about dog poo prompted his resignation.
Consider that those appointed to FWA as commissioners are told in initial briefings that they are to no longer associate with their friends from employer organisations or trade unions. No long lunches with the comrades are allowed because of the optics, because it would give the impression that the impartial sworn judicial officers of FWA were compromised. A tough requirement, but it makes sense for the public faith in FWA to be maintained.
Michael Lawler’s involvement in the HSU has clearly reached an intolerable and scandalous level that brings nothing but disgrace on FWA.
The minister said he would seek advice on what to do about the claims on ABC’s 730.
We believe only a judicial inquiry can establish what Lawler did, with witnesses summoned and required to give answers on oath, and when he did what we did.
The new President of Fair Work Australia has acknowledged he has a problem and has even sought a re-branding to deal with the damage down to the standing of FWA by the HSU investigation farce and the conflict of interest scandal that Lawler has involved himself in.
But a rebranding won’t be enough.
There must be a cultural change there and there must be real accountability for a judicial official found to have improperly interfered with the internal affairs of a registered organisation.
The Coalition have understandably embraced the enemy of their enemy. The politics of that makes sense up to a point. Many in the Coalition are well aware of the true nature of the Jacksons at the HSU. They are not so much whistle-blowers as mob-style super-grasses, hoping to gain power at the expense of rivals, while continuing to run the same profitable and evil scam.
We think Eric Abetz, the wily Shadow Minister, is fully aware of this although we wonder whether his Leader has got the memo. Some of Abbott’s rhetoric on Jackson seems remarkably naive and ill-informed.
The Coalition will want to take a good look at FWA (or whatever it’s called) after the next election. They’d do well to rid themselves of this hopelessly compromised, Koolade swilling judge before celebratory Craig Thomson cigars end up exploding in their face.
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congrats to Vexnews for consistent probing behind the tales presented in mainstream media.
My congrats to Vexnews for being so far out in front with this story it is not funny. Is the main street press corrupt or just grossly incompetent and lazy. Thomson is a grub but so is K. Jackson. They are both crooks and a scourge on the Union movement. I hope to see them both do time. Probably wont happen though. Pity.
What a spectaular breach of public faith . We hold judges up to the greatest esteem in our society, expecting like lady justice is blind to impart true fairness without fear or favour or prejudice.
Kudos the VEX, independant australia & 7.30 report for seeking the truth.
My thoughts exactly Reggie. KJ,MW, MB all the HSU executive and CT have distryed our Union and all the Union movement. I’m certain that there are others and I hope their day will come soon. The HSU needs a seious cleanup and now. The Union Council should stand-up now and sack the lot of them, don’t let them continue to control our Union and the way it is run.
Disgraceful. Mainstream media just “report” whatever is in Tony Abbott’s press releases with no investigation whatsoever.
Lalwer is the Vice President of FWA, but he does not hold any judicial office. Lawler holds an office in the executive wing of government, not the judicial wing.
President Ross is a Federal Court judge in addition to being head of the FWA. Senior Deputy President Boulton is also a Federal Court judge. These are the only members of FWA that are dual appointments to both FWA and a court.
“Boo Hoo I feel sorry for you blokes losing your job, sorry mate can you move to the left a bit so Channel ten can get a clear shot of me, OK? Boo hoo and having to tell you’re kids you’ve lost you’re jobs, Hang on a second, Howard can you get the Herald Sun Photographer something to stand on, I look less fat from above, OK? Boo Hoo Waaaaa, By the way None of you guys care if the media’s in this meeting while you’re getting sacked do you? Waaa Boo Hoo Oh and now that you guys have some time on your hands to go camping would you like to buy some swags?, just don’t get in front of the camera’s when you pay for them Waaaa booo hooo
This is a copy of an email I sent to the 7.30 report on 19 May 2012.
I have a few questions about Chris Uhlmann’s interview of Ms Kathy Jackson on 3 April 2012.
Was the 7.30 Report aware of the relationship between Ms Kathy Jackson and a senior Officer of the Commonwealth, namely, Mr Michael Lawler, Vice-pPesident of Fair Work Australia, when the above 7.30 interview with Ms Jackson went to air?
At that time, was the 7.30 Report aware that Mr Michael Lawler was appointed to that position by Mr Tony Abbott?
At that time, was the 7.30 aware of the allegations made against Mr Lawler as reported in The Australian on 8 February 1012 (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/fair-work-australia-vice-president-drawn-into-hsu-row/story-fn59noo3-1226263184928) and the Sydney Morning Herald on 3 February 2012? Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/health-union-allegations-turn-a-brawl-into-open-warfare-20120202-1qvov.html#ixzz1vIIia2Ed
In particular, was the 7.30 report aware of allegations that Ms Glen had complained in writing to Justice Geoffrey Giudice, the president of Fair Work Australia, on December 7 that she had received an angry call from Mr Lawler, [who is Ms Jackson's partner], about her resignation and ‘ felt bullied and upset after the phone call.
Further was the 7.30 Report aware of an allegation that:
According to a letter of complaint she [Ms Glen] sent to Fair Work Australia president Geoffrey Giudice, Mr Lawler told her that if she resigned, it would enable HSU East general-secretary Michael Williamson, one of Ms Jackson’s factional enemies, to place his preferred replacement in her job.
“You can f . . k off and take sick leave if you don’t want to do the work and still be paid, but you can’t resign,” ?. Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/fair-work-australia-vice-president-drawn-into-hsu-row/story-fn59noo3-1226263184928
If the 7.30 Report had been any of the above and/or been aware of the connection between Ms Jackson and a senior officer of the Commonwealth who, under the Fair Work Act has the same protection and immunity as a Justice of the High Court, please explain why Chris Ullmann did not raise such an issue of significant public interest during his interview with Ms Jackson?
So, the only thing missing is a dispute and scuffle over dog poo. Surely that can be arranged?
Michelle, did you get a response? I find it fascinating that nobody is following up Ms Glen. She seems an honest soul who took a walk away from the putrid stench that is the HSU. I suspect she has a lot of usefull info to give.
She must have got a whole lot more adventurous under the silk sheets than she was me to risk such a career and pay packet.
Jim is obviously into canine coprophilia
Michelle, excellant content
I believe an accusation was made in the 90′s against one : Jan Armstrong, secretary of a Vic. branch of HSU. by Ms.Jackson of defrauding monies with a union credit card….charges denied AND dismissed!…can anyone enlighten?
Allegations were made and statements printed in newspapers, they failed to show the repayments Ms Armstrong made for personal expenditure (and Jackson didn’t disclose that she was aware of those payments) it was another stoush leading up to the election when Jeff was running against Jan Armstrong.
Joe
Seems Ms Jackson has a favourite tactic for getting ahead. She uses buckets of ordure to throw at her opponents and relies on the media to follow the stench while she marches in behind dipped in perfume. When is the media going to expose this manipulative horror?
Thanks, “Joe”. ?
Interesting, but what’s with the last paragraph…hope you’re not assuming the coalition will win the next election.
If Erica Abetz says he has a “smoking gun” memo from FWA, then what would he call these shenanigans? Hey Erica, Chrissy – come and read this stuff…it will blow your minds!
Great work VEXNEWS. I just love your stuff to bits.
Cheers
Drinky
Michelle, sorry to disappoint you but I’m sure that somebody else will take you up on your canine coprophilia offer. Your menu of services continues to amaze me.
Bring Jeff back, he was a true legend!
Thanks Joe. Seems like Jackson has a recurring tactic to assist her personal advancement. Tip buckets of ordure on her opponents, let the media follow the smell, then move in behind them dipped in perfume. Instead of describing red herrings as smoking guns Abetz would better serve the public interest by inquiring into this woman’s manipulative behavior. And given the conflict of interest concerns already raised, we should also consider what his honour should do when those lawyers who have given Jackson tens of thousands of dollars in free legal advice inevitably appear before him in court. He isn’t being paid to recuse himself every second day.
Kathy loves the players…
Time to leave the mole Michael.
Great work Vex!
An article on Jackson and Lawler and Co on Independent Australia, visible late this afternoon (approx 5pm CST) (#6) in Wick’s series appears to have been taken down (8.30pm CST).
Anyone have any info?
Bob
Thomson 6: Kathy Jackson and the $½ million | Independent Australia
29 MAY, 2012 AT 6:02 PM
[...] ground-breaking investigative report from Peter Wicks shows evidence of huge unexplained payments being made to HSU “whistleblower” Kathy Jackson — [...]
BobC, the link appears under Peter Wick’ Bio but can’t open the article.
Maybe Kathy is threatening to sue again so the article has been pulled out.
For the media and the Liberals, Jackson is useful. She plays the role of the labor supporter/unionist who has “seen the light” and become a tory.
This allows Jackson to run her case in public without criticisms or analysis. It is a mutually beneficial partnership.
However, if it is found that she has engaged in wrongdoing and the media look foolish, they will turn on her.
Pure lies by the left wing press
The No. 6 story will reappear at 11pm EST, an agreement with other msm.
Thanks Sue. “other msm”?
Kathy is a patriot daring to speak truth to power.
The other FWA members dislike VP Lawler intensely – even before this. He’s always drunk. He doesn’t do his fair share of the work and they have to pick up his work as well as do their own. He’s always on leave. And then he comes back and boasts about his overseas travel. They would love him to be removed. He’s now on the Melbourne list so he can live in Melbourne with Kathy Jackson.
Michael keep a eye out for [deleted]
Independent Australia and I have both have received numerous anonymous tips to look into the HESTA fund and its trustee’s. Unfortunately, we have not had the time to thoroughly do so. It is, however, interesting to note that on 15 August 2007, there is a payment for Accommodation and Travel to Kathy Jackson marked ‘HESTA’ for $13,100. That’s some travel expense.
Indeed, in just two weeks, we have found payments to Kathy Jackson, and to her children’s Child Care Centre, totalling $659,063.18. That is on top of her $270,000 salary. Bear in mind that Kathy Jackson is not an investment banker, she is a union official representing low-paid healthy service workers.
Below is a breakdown:
$4,860.72 – K. Koukavaos Consulting
$36,867.46 – Neranto No. 10, for consultancy services
$13,100 – Katherine Jackson direct, for Accommodation and travel HESTA
$12,500 – Katherine Jackson direct, for postage and shipping. Apparently lots of shipping…
$63,000 – Katherine Jackson direct, for an Honorarium payment
$6,165 – Minifie Park Child Care Association, apparent staff benefits and uniforms
$522,570 – Katherine Jackson direct, Key Management Personnel Compensation
Documentation of these payments may be accessed on our site via the links mentioned above.
http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/thomson-6-the-falling-few-and-the-fall-guy/
And Christopher Pyne seen having a coffee with Lawler and Jackson. I thought Lawler was on long leave and unavailable to the Senate. Pyne should have told EricA betz. Or had Pyne passed on a message to EricA betz he missed the “smoking gun” email? The email in the package of documents from 7 May 2012.
The only thing smoking is my ring after Alan has given it a thourgh pounding tonight.
Anonski: “Lalwer is the Vice President of FWA, but he does not hold any judicial office. Lawler holds an office in the executive wing of government, not the judicial wing.”
Wrong. Watch Iain Ross, President of FWA, on Monday’s 7:30 Report, where he explains that Lawler is part of the ‘adjudicative’ arm, not the executive arm of FWA, and is a “sworn judicial officer”, who can only be disciplined by the Parliament.
Pissy chrnye I didn’t know you were an ac/dc man ,care to enlighten me ?
Hey Bill wilder still waiting to meet, I can not come to sydney for the courting
take responsability
Can some tell me who the ugly dumb looking bloke is on the right in the top picture of this article, I’ve seen him before somewhere ???
Who cares who is who in the HSU?
Kathy is doing a great job exposing these corrupt thieves, maybe she is not a clean skin herself but you could give her some credit for placing a face to these faceless men that are running the country now.
No, Cona it doesn’t matter that she’s trousered over $500k and the rest ,a third of the unions annual capital herself on lifes luxuries , as long as she puts on her lipstick, points at Thomsonand blinks everytime she spits out outrageous lies in front of the cameras and MSM , we are all being conned. Her shameless bleats about the “working poor ” are her desperate attempt to cling onto control of the whole union & her obscene pay and possibly disguise her own rotten nest .
Members deserve the truth ,nothing less. Great work VEX and IM & wixxy .
In one of wixxy’s articles he states that all the information he has on Kathy Jackson and the HSU would be available to the police or any of the other investigating bodies. It would be interesting to hear who contacted him and who hasn’t .
Kathy 10 / idiots nil
Go Wixxy and Vexxy , go where the MSM fear to tread , groundbreaking stuff.
Will Kathy Jackson do the right thing blow the whistle on herself ?
To cona ( or should I say Marco Bolano ) nice try dickhead, but that comment is way to obvious to be you !!!!
You’re right, Kathy Jackson is not a clean skin, and yes their are others within the union that are also not clean skins. The only difference between Kathy Jackson and the others is that at least they haven’t prostituted themselves to the media and the speaking circuit in an attempt to main her delusional ‘Hero’ status. The damage which Kathy Jackson has done to the Union Movement which should not be included in the HSU shit, as all other unions had relevant rules in place to prevent senior exec position like Kathy in ripping of members to support her lavish lifestyle. If she was a so called hero, she should have reported her allegations to the appropriate authorities and than make no further comment to the media and allow her complaints to be investigated and than he courts to make their decision. Then if Thompson and Williamson and Jeff Jackson were found guilty and convicted I myself would have said she is a hero. All this self important media slut has achieved is possibly permanently damage the name of the HSU, embarrassed those hard working members who now no longer are proud to say they are a union member or like the hundreds / thousands have already have resigned. Her public campaign has made life very hard for all current organisers employed by the union to attract new members. And her poisonous tongue is now spreading to talking at Liberal functions. Fr god sake wake up and admit this she devil should shut up and go. Oh, in reply to OMG, the ugly prick on the right of the photo is Kathy Jackson puppet and local thug ( or at least in his mind ) none other than Marco Bolano ( another prostitute user , but helm the media have investigated that one have they ??????
Right on, Truth. The big lie in all of this is that the NSW/ACT part of the HSU was dysfunctional while the alleged rorting was going on. Not true! Organisers were on the ground working hard and successfully and union members were getting their money’s worth in representation. But the same couldn’t be said of Jackson’s patch in Victoria. Maybe the union members down there could ask her what exactly it is that she does to earn her keep other than to plot against other office holders.
Before the FWA can even look at restoring public faith & integrity, they will require more then a name change , they will need to be accountable . Some questions still needing answers.
* Where did the complaint made by HSU employee Carol Glen to the then FWA President Justice Geoffrey Giudice
in regards to VP of the FWA Mr Lawler’s threatening phonecall to her go?
* What public faith have we with an institution when boxes of evidence for the HSU investigation were personally delivered by the major complainant Secreatry of the HSU Kathy Jackson to FWA Officer Terry Nassios for the purpose of the investigation? When contact was made to Ms Jackson to recover other documents it was then reported she had gone overseas and unable to be contacted?
* Why can’t Abetz & estimates committee call up Michael Lawler and Terry Nassios ? (both are currently on leave ) their accountability however lies clearly with the Parliament , and it is their duty to uphold the integrity of their role at all times as impartial, unbiased officers.
Bolano is a man of true charm whit and intellect!!
You are right Hear Hear, the HSU members in NSW/ACT have had active organisers and delegates working on their behalf. A number of campagins in the Industral Court were heard and won on behalf of the members but the press don’t want to report that. As our hospital DON said KJ and her lap dog MB make for better reading. And i ask what has happened to the Victorian EBA that should have been completed in 2011, have the members received a pay rise, none that i’m aware of. There are people out there that know the truth about Jackson and her crew, are they just gutless or has KJ taken her usual tact and threatened to sue for defamation.
Time to get rid of them . Members should resign and stop the flow of money they need to fund their lifestyle . Next they will be asking for Fees to be increased.
To Free Lawler…. If you think Marco ‘Mad ‘ Bolano has true charm and intellect, all I can say is you really need to get out more and see what true men with charm and intellect actually are like. On the numerous times I have had the cause to meet Bolano over the past 12 months, he has always acted like a big stand over typical union thug. Talk about thinking his shit doesn’t stink !!!! I will be one of many women who will be actively campaigning against him when their is an election to bring back some decency to the executive of the HSU. And believe me, some of the shit I’ve heard about his ‘ goings on ‘ with certain lady’s, he would be best to sneak away into the future never to be seen of again
Jackson’s apparent immunity from scrutiny from the msm must have some explanation but no one out here in worker land seems to know why. The discontent and resentment of THE MEMBERS THEMSELVES with the ongoing refusal of the Fairfax and Murdoch press in particular to pursue persistent suggestions of dubious expenditure by Jackson herself is consistently ignored. A token mention of these matters in media interviews and a predictable denial by Jackson seems to be enough to bring all inquiry to a dead end. I bet Thomson and Williamson would love to be treated the same way. All HSU members who want to see the union survive should demand that she subject herself to the same demands she has made from others and account for the allegations publicly. If she does not they should demand that she resign.
OMG you clearly have no understanding of what a man with an air of class is! Arse clowns from the lower rungs of humanity have no place in the HSU.
For the real story check Independent Australia:
Thomson 7: Credit card slips, clarifications and truth bombs
Great piece Wixxy , great to see you notated also on Jacksons Wikipedia profile as you should for connecting the facts while the other inspector clouseaus still sit around for Jacksons next presser.
Interesting to note someone mentioned both Lawler and Nassios on leave simutaneously. Obviously their testimony in all this is critical. Their silence speaks volumes.
In the great words of the woman herself “It is the antiseptic of public scrutiny” that will clean up the HSU. Keep that antiseptic running Wicks & VEX .I’m sure Kathy would agree we need full discolusure and accountability from the top.
Waiting with bated breath for the 8th installment of the Thomson affair . After reading chapter 7 it would seem Mr Wicks preferred taunting Kathy Jackson and didn’t produce any explosive or new allegations .
If Williamson and co paid for Bolano’s election campaign, who paid for the other two tickets?
Maybe Abbott and his leader in the Senate could ask that question. The answer may be closer than he thinks.
HSU Holds 2004 National Conference
22 October 2004
The HSU’s 2004 national conference was held in Sydney this week with delegates from around the country meeting to decide on the future direction of the union.
Ambulance officer and NSW branch president Steve Pollard addresses the conference
Ambulance officer and NSW branch president Steve Pollard addresses the conference
The conference was held on Tuesday October 19 and Wednesday October 20 in Sydney with the theme Growth, Strength and Unity.
The delegates who included national and state officials, staff and members for the first time had the opportunity to debate and agree on national policies for the union.
The policies, which cover the activities of the union and future strategies for industries where members work, will be available shortly on the national website.
HSU national secretary Craig Thomson said the conference was a milestone in the union’s history.
“For the first time the union has established and run policy committees which have worked for months on developing policies to guide the future direction of the union,” he said.
“Those policies were the subject of debate at the national conference and the final versions set out a coherent plan of exactly what the union stands for and how we can proceed forward.”
In his address to the conference Mr Thomson pointed out that the HSU had grown by over 18 per cent in the last two years to over 72,000 members.
But he warned delegates that the continuing growth and strength of the union depended on members and officials campaigning strongly in the workplace and ensuring a top quality service was provided to members.
The union also had a responsibility to continue to advocate for more resources to be put in health and aged care and to rebuff attempts like those in NSW to privatise non-clinical services.
The results of the recent HSU national election was also announced during the conference.
The following people were returned unopposed:
National Secretary: Craig Thomson
National President: Michael Williamson (NSW)
Senior National Assistant Secretary: Kathy Jackson (Victoria)
National Assistant Secretary: David Stephens (Victoria)
Vice President: Chris Brown (Tasmania)
National Trustees: Iris Knight (NSW), Dan Hill (Western Australia)
A copy of the post election report is available upon request.
Must read latest from Independent Australia:
http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/thomson-8-the-hsu-family/
To find out how Jackson spends members money check out this at Independent Australia:
Thomson 8: The HSU family
FWA awards poorest workers $17.10 extra a week to take lowest paid workers to $606 a week.
Meanwhile Kathy Jackson gets $5192.30 a week for representing them.
A very sad irony.FWA open your eyes.
I knew something explosive was going to happen in chapter 8 it had to . With Wixxy’s taunts to Kathy in chapter 7 ,I think its about time the ABC invite Kathy Jackson to put on the party shoes and make up and get her on the 7.30 report . It just keeps getting better top stuff Wixxy can’t wait for chapter 9.
Just read Thomson 8. It beggars belief that this woman is now on the verge of taking control of the HSU. Here’s how she operates. Vex reported recently,
‘We can reveal today that Jackson and her thug Marco Bolano have been charged under union rules by an HSU activist and Royal Melbourne Hospital operating theatre technician Daniel Govan..’
The charges were many and various and should have been heard by union council. Why weren’t they? Because Jackson took an argument to court (pro bono apparently) that NSW organisers were not entitled to vote. If upheld, this would have given her the numbers to avoid censure. The intervention of Shorten’s application to put the HSU in administration put the decision on voting entitlements on hold and council has been unable to meet since.
Her latest move is even more revealing of how the courts are being used to give her a rails run into control. Her argument is very simple. The application before the court is that all the executive should resign. Most of the executive have agreed outside court to fall on their swords in the interests of the union even where individuals are demonstrably totally innocent of any wrong. Guess who won’t do this? Right. Jackson And Bolano.
And Jackson in an act of breathtaking gall and morally bankrupt self-interest has actually submitted to the court that she should not be removed from the executive because… wait for it….. she has done nothing wrong!!!!
She is also resisting in court the demerger of her Victorian branch from HSUeast (where her salary would be more modest and where she will lose any election) despite the vote by delegates at the HSUeast annual convention by a two thirds majority that a demerger occur.
If the court allows her to get away with all this given the serious question marks over her HSU expenditures and the members wishes to the contrary then you have to wonder where a member needs to go to find justice.
As I have been saying, ” the truth will come out”, and oh boy, how it is starting to come to light, how this media chasing, hypocritical, lying, fraudulent alleged hero of the truth, Kathy Jackson has ripped of the HSU and it lowly paid members over the years. How dare this so called female raise her head in public pleading with the authorities to get Thompson and Williamson, but hey, don’t look at me !!! I bet she started her relationship with Lawler in advance knowing what was about to happen and knew if she had this leach by her side and in her bed, she would be protected. Even proved her love for Lawler by hiring his two sons to work for the HSU in Victoria .. I mean, how obvious is this two faced, disloyal cretin. It’s time, all those fools following Jackson down the road, believing all her tripe , like her chief beefcake and dumbarse, Marco Bolano, should take a step back and have a look at the real Kathy Jackson. Leave now before you get caught up in the tidal wave that is coming for her.
Peter Wicks doesn’t get it. It’s only nepotism if Kathy’s enemies do it. It’s only conflict of interest if her rivals do it. It’s only a rort if it’s done by whoever is standing between her and her ambitions. Ask the mainstream media. They get it.
That explains Kathy’s trip to HK. She would have been given free meals after paying 22k to this Chinese friend.
Kathy Jackson didn’t hesitate to drag the children and families of other HSU execs into her scummy allegations. All in the name of realizing her own putrid ambitions. As unfortunate as it is for all involved, let’s hope she now knows what it feels like. What a despicable creature she is.
After reading Independant Australia about the volvo , the Hong Kong friend, Numbat consulting,Jeff’s $58k bonus for doing nothing,the 2 lawler boys on the payroll ….i wonder whether her website should be renamed Cleaning-Out the HSU. Yep, Kathy using the HSU as her personal ATM to fund friends, ex-husbands , family, people in hong kong everyone gets a slice of the “working poors” pie. Bunch of Crooks.
Did the kids get the money or was it passed over as maintenance payments?
Here’s more. As vex reported, a Victorian HSU member brought charges against Jackson dealing with the sort of allegations disclosed by Peter Wicks. The HSUeast council would have dealt with these charges. However in the meantime Jackson went to the court (with her pro bono lawyers) and in a transparently self serving move argued that the NSW counsellors should not be allowed to vote which if upheld would have made her immune from censure by a council she hoped would be dominated by her supporters. Subsequent court applications have stalled her tactics but in any event the court said it would disapprove of any council meetings being held while court proceedings took place which has kept the hearing of the allegations at bay.
Also going on in the courts is an application to appoint an administrator, stand down the executive and demerge the Victorian and NSW branches. All the executive are in any event prepared to stand down with the exception of Jackson and Bolano. Jackson has an application to the court which as usual is breathtakingly self serving. She argues she should not be required to stand down because – wait for it – she has done nothing wrong!
She also opposes the demerger. This despite a motion carried by a two thirds majority of the HSUeast annual convention that a demerger occur – a resounding rejection of her and her destructive actions.
Both these applications are designed to protect her and her alone from the natural consequences of her media sponsored grenade throwing.
It’s one thing for an agenda-driven media to let her get away with all this, but if the courts do the same, you have to wonder where ordinary HSU members can turn to find justice.
1. Justice Kirby ‘trawling for rent boys’ and ComCar accounts verify-except they are frauds.
2. Kevin Rudd Utegate and emails prove it true-except they are frauds.
3. Peter Slipper “mis-used’ Comcars etc-except he didn’t
4. A Mr ThomPson with a rejected ( 211) credit card “pays” for services in Sydney while a Mr Thomson is in Perth.
5. Sex Worker will reveal all on A Current Affair after signing Stat Dec yet she doesn’t.
It ain’t over until the Fat Lady sings.
If it comes out that Jackson has misused union funds – and those funds include as is rumored the boob job – reduction that is – does that mean she has to give her boobs back?
If Michael Lawlers school age boys from Sydney were put on the payroll of the HSU in Melbourne by Kathy Jackson and those boys were not paid up union members technically they’re SCABS.
@Jack,
Mr Craig Thomson has admitted to making a $770 payment to Internat Immobiliare, a holding company set up to take payments on behalf of The Boardroom escort agency.
The Fat Lady is doing her major scales warm up exercise …
Kathy Jackson had her boobs reduced? What was she thinking? That centrefold offer may never come now.
Good afternoon fellow intellectuals, I am A C#NT!
AFR article yesterday:
Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson wants everyone else removed from office in the shake-up of the HSU East branch but wants to remain in office herself.
But lawyers for the Michael Williamson faction of the union made it clear they will not make it easy for Ms Jackson, who earns $270,000 a year, saying it should be “all or none out”.
Lawyers for Mr Williamson, Ms Jackson, and both the Federal and NSW governments fronted the Federal Court ahead of a hearing to decide if the union should be put into administration.
Both Federal Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten and NSW minister for finance Greg Pearce have filed formal applications to replace the HSU East’s elected officials with administrators.
All parties agreed the HSU east branch was “dysfunctional” and therefore there were grounds for an administrator to be appointed.
A key issue will be whether officials should have to vacate their office. Ms Jackson wants all employees except her to be removed.
AFR yesterday:
Ms Jackson is understood to have made a submission that all positions in the East branch be declared vacant apart from her role as honorary branch president and the role of deputy secretary Marco Bolano. It will be opposed by the HSU branch and HSU officials led by Mr Brown.
Yes, Jackson’s submission is on account of her having done nothing wrong. Hopefully she’ll explain how this distinguishes her from other executives who have done nothing wrong, organizers who have done nothing wrong and ultimately members who have done nothing wrong and who voted at last annual convention by a two thirds majority to demerge her Victorian branch and thereby see the end of her.
Jackson alleges money has been taken by other, but didn’t mention she was helping herself.
Lawler gets involved, and threatens to sue if anyone mentions it.
And now Jackson wants everybody fired except her and her sidekick.
Then they control the cash?
Fast forward to a time in the near future. A battle field. Broken and bloodied corpses lie among the still smoking wreckage. Ragged trade union banners have been trodden into the stinking mud. Vote ALP brochures, half burnt and covered in gore, litter the landscape. A lone female figure stands imperiously among this devastation. She wears Bulgari ear rings, designer jeans and a smug smile. In one of her manicured hands she holds frequent flyer vouchers, a set of Volvo car keys and an envelope labelled ‘director’s fees for my fiduciary duties’. In the other she grips the bloodied head of an HSU official. She is watching the approach of the newly elected Prime Minister of Australia. He looks about him as he walks through the carnage, amazed, as if he can’t believe the Gods have been so good to him. Eventually stopping before the woman, he looks at her in admiration. ‘You did all this? I’m very impressed, Kathy.’ She nonchalantly tosses back her expensively styled mane. ‘It was nothing. It’s what I do.’ Abbott transfers his Work Choices legislation from one armpit to the other and looks around him again. ‘But why Kathy? Why would you do all of this?’ The question surprises her. She is momentarily lost for words. Then she puts down the severed head of the HSU official and reaches into her pocket and extracts a piece of paper as if refreshing her memory. Satisfied she returns the note to her pocket looks him in the eye, and says, ‘Isn’t it obvious? I did it for the members.’
Posted by Sometime in the near future | April 21, 2012, 22:19
Let’s never forget SHE DID IT FOR THE MEMBERS!
Oh, and the cash!
Jackson wants to retain her “honorary” position – that’s the one that pays $270K.
What about the officers that are actually doing the work trying to hold it together and keep the union running for the members while she swans around doing press conferences or challenging everything in court.
She wants them sacked?
There are reports that the NSW government is supporting the appointment as HSU administrator of a barrister who has supported Jackson. Anyone know who this is and what the connection is?
From AFR:
The NSW government is asking the Federal Court to appoint a barrister who has spoken out in support of Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson as administrator of the union’s East branch.
In a submission lodged with the court, the state government has nominated Sydney barrister Jeffrey Phillips, SC, as its choice to take over the day-to-day running of the disgraced branch.
The Federal Court is due to start a three-week hearing on Tuesday to decide applications by a number of parties, including the NSW and federal governments, to appoint an administrator to the branch.
HSU acting national president Chris Brown said on Friday that lawyers acting for him and other branch secretaries would object to Mr Phillips’s appointment.
Mr Phillips, a specialist in industrial law, is a general editor of the legal journal Workplace Review. In a recent article for the journal, he praised Ms Jackson, one of the parties in the case.
“If ever anyone needed whistleblowing protection in the trade union movement it is the former HSU boss Kathy Jackson,” Mr Phillips wrote. “Jackson must be a very brave and strong person to have put up with the abuse and vile innuendo she has suffered since she started this campaign on behalf of her members.
“Even if there be no corruption, the level of entertainment expenses incurred by some HSU officials is breathtaking. Perhaps the gulf separating union officials and their unions’ membership may be a reason that in some areas of the nation more unionists vote for the Liberal National Party than for Labor.”
Mr Phillips told the Weekend Australian Financial Review on Friday that the article “speaks for itself”.
Ms Jackson is understood to have made a submission that all positions in the East branch be declared vacant apart from her role as honorary branch president and the role of deputy secretary Marco Bolano. It will be opposed by the HSU branch and HSU officials led by Mr Brown.
Sydney legal sources had said Mr Phillips was a member of the NSW Liberal Party’s Vaucluse branch but he said that was incorrect. He had been a member in the past.
NSW aren’t aware of her VIC racket that’s why all the whistleblowing was going on up there . She knows she couldn’t win an election in VIC that’s why she is pushing for the hearing to treat it (HSU) as a single entity in NSW it also gives her grounds to retain her “honorary” $$position , while sacking everyone else.So selfless isn’t she?
Presumably the court won’t entertain Jackson’s application that she alone not be removed from the executive without being satisfied that the allegations against her are without substance. Unlike the media, it should not accept her claim that approval of her expenditures is sufficient to remove doubt. After all, many of the allegations against her are similar in kind to those made against Thomson and Williamson – tainted by conflict of interest, of an inappropriately personal nature, and excessive. For justice to be served the court should ensure that Dracula isn’t being left in charge of the blood bank.
How on earth do we get MSM to pick up on this, any suggestions/ideas.
Perhaps fleeced members need to be outside the Fed Court when Jackson arrives, hair and make up done, and the members can start handing out copies of the documents that IA have given to the Vic and NSW police!
Sacking everyone except her? She is such a disgrace.
Sacking everyone except her? She is such a disgrace.
Not one but multiple breaches of fiduciary duties and serial conflicts of interest makes Kathy look less of a “whistleblower” and more like part of the accused group every day.
The fact that she also personally “delivered” documents herself to FWA officer Nassios that was to form the case for the FWA investigation also ranks high as interference and conflict in determining the outcomes.
Clearly whoever is selected as administrator needs to be on top of all these inconsistencies and conficts and not be blind or favourable to Jacksons overt attempt to control the financials of the HSU.
Even leaving aside the allegations against Jackson, allowing her to avoid removal is like appointing the bull who has just destroyed the china shop as its manager.
Abbotts/Pynes/Abetz/Brandis/Jackson/Lawler…your day of reckoning is fast approaching and there will be nowhere to hide. Despite the best efforts of the MSM the crimes and injustice dealt to Craig Thomson (no p)by you low life and in cohorts with MSM including the ABC are being revealed.
A couple of independent private bloggers have opened up this can of worms for all to see and it is disgusting.
This pair need to be closely interrogated. A full investigation into the pair should be conducted forthwith, along with a very hard look at the Liberal party’s involvement in this. Hopefully soon these some light will soon be shed on these matters……I smell a rather large rat or maybe be that should be rats