Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption
| Inquiries | Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption |
|---|---|
| Commissioner | Dyson Heydon, AC QC |
| Inquiry period | 10 February 2014 – 28 December 2015 |
| Constituting instrument | Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) |
| Website | tradeunionroyalcommission |
The Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption was a Royal Commission established by the Australian government to inquire into alleged financial irregularities associated with the affairs of trade unions. The Australian Workers Union, Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Electrical Trades Union, Health Services Union and the Transport Workers Union were named in the terms of reference. The Royal Commission inquired into the activities relating to slush funds and other similar funds and entities established by, or related to, the affairs of these organisations.
The Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the Royal Commission on 10 February 2014 and nominated that the Commission be overseen by a sole Royal Commissioner, The Honourable Dyson Heydon, AC QC, a former High Court judge. Letters Patent were issued on 13 March 2014. The Commissioner submitted an Interim Report in December 2014, which found cases of "wilful defiance of the law" and recommended criminal charges against certain unionists. Allegations of illegality against nine unions had been uncovered, with over 50 potential breaches of criminal and civil law identified.
Following an extension, the Commissioner presented his final report to the Governor-General in December 2015, finding "widespread and deep-seated" misconduct by union officials in Australia. More than 40 people and organisations were referred to authorities, including police, Directors of Public Prosecutions, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Fair Work Commission, and a recommendation for the establishment of an independent body to investigate union records and finances was made.
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