Ex-HSU boss Kathy Jackson allegedly gave $50k of members’ money to ex-hubby ‘as part of couple’s divorce settlement’
UNION whistleblower Kathy Jackson used $50,000 of members money to pay part of her divorce settlement, the Royal Commission heard.
UNION whistleblower Kathy Jackson used $50,000 of members’ money to pay part of her divorce settlement, the royal commission into trade union corruption heard yesterday.
Ms Jackson’s ex-husband Jeffrey Jackson told the commission a $50,000 cheque he received from Ms Jackson in 2009 was part of their divorce property settlement.
His statement contradicts previous evidence given by his ex-wife that she transferred the money from a union bank account to assist him in a political battle with union rival Pauline Fegan.
“My best recollection was that it was payment in relation to a property settlement,” Mr Jackson said.
Ms Jackson has said she transferred the money from her HSU No.3 branch to assist Mr Jackson, who was leader of the HSU No.1 branch, in the political battle.
Documents produced at the commission showed the cash was paid into a joint account held by the Jacksons and controlled by Mr Jackson. There were several withdrawals for domestic expenses including florists and a Saab convertible.
The commission heard previously the money was transferred from an account holding money that had been given to the HSU No.3 branch to make up for unpaid entitlements of health workers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.
The money was for use at Ms Jackson’s discretion. Mr Jackson said he did not ask where the money came from.
“Would you ask somebody if they owed you money? I don’t think many people would ask: ‘Where did that money come from?’ It was hers as far as I was aware,” he said.
A further payment of $58,000 from Ms Jackson was used for union election purposes. But under cross-examination, Mr Jackson conceded his memory was poor since he suffered an illness that left him in a coma years before.
“I remember I received one payment as part of a property settlement process and I received a payment to a range of political and electoral processes,” he said.
Ms Jackson blew the whistle on corrupt behaviour at the HSU that resulted in former official Michael Williamson being jailed.
Initially she was a friendly witness but has since hired a barrister to represent her at the commission.
Man in critical condition after being pulled from weir in Sydney’s west
A man has been rushed to hospital in a serious condition after being pulled from the water in Sydney’s west.
Squatters stoush in supreme court
The fate of squatters in Pine St, Lismore, may rest on the shoulders of two women who will face off against the NSW Reconstruction Authority in a legal battle to possess the flood-hit buyback properties.