TWU QLD secretary stands aside over misused funds allegations

The state secretary of the Transport Workers Union has stood aside while allegations members’ funds have been misused to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars are investigated.

Queensland’s state secretary of the Transport Workers Union has stood aside while allegations members’ funds have been misused to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars are investigated.

The allegations against the state branch are understood to involve decisions made by the committee of management.

Queensland Secretary Peter Biagini voluntarily stood down and is co-operating fully with the National Council.

The council met yesterday following complaints over the weekend, a statement from the national branch said.

“The Union’s National Council convened this morning having received complaints about decision making within the branch at the weekend,” the statement read.

Peter Biagini from the Transport Workers Union has stood aside over allegations of misused funds. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Jono Searle

The TWU has appointed retired judge Frank Marks to examine the governance of its Queensland branch.

Mr Marks serves as the independent ombudsman for the Union.

In a statement to members TWU National President Ian Smith said the national council had taken necessary action to ensure the state branch will remain fully operational during the process.
“Until National Council considers the outcome of the examination and next steps, the branch will undertake temporary governance changes,” Mr Smith said.

The TWU’s Victorian Secretary John Berger and its NSW Secretary Richard Olsen will oversee the branch in the intervening period.

Mr Smith said in the statement that the TWU upheld the highest standards of governance and transparency.

“The National branch wishes to assure members that the process will be independent and ‘at arms length’ from the Union, and that every person involved will be afforded procedural fairness,” he said.

Originally published as TWU QLD secretary stands aside over misused funds allegations