‘Why invited him?’: Torch turns on NSW Libs over Dyson Heydon row

The Coalition is attempting to shift the blame for the Dyson Heydon fiasco to the Liberal Party’s NSW division.

Royal commissioner Dyson Heydon. Picture AAP

The Coalition is attempting to shift the blame for the Dyson Heydon fiasco to the Liberal Party’s NSW division, with senior frontbencher Christopher Pyne saying the fact “he was invited in the first place is beyond me’’.

The royal commission continued yesterday but unions are seeking legal advice on whether to challenge the inquiry and considering the legal consequences of boycotting proceedings.

ACTU president Ged Kearney said she would not rule out a High Court bid to compel Mr Heydon to relinquish his role as royal commissioner because of the appearance of bias.

Mr Heydon, a former High Court judge hand-picked by Tony Abbott to head the $80 million ­judicial inquiry into union governance and corruption, is under fire after agreeing to deliver the Sir Garfield Barwick address.

He withdrew on Thursday from the $80-a-head fundraising function, a day after he was told by the organiser, Gregory Burton SC, in an email that it was being run by the NSW Liberals.

The Labor Party and the ­unions argue that the royal commission is now so tainted by perceptions of bias that it should be wound up.

Bill Shorten said: “The fact that Mr Heydon was billed as the guest speaker at a Liberal Party fundraiser is the smoking gun of political bias. It’s now up for (Tony) Abbott and his Liberals to explain why they continue to stand by him.’’

The Prime Minister and senior ministers again rallied behind Mr Heydon, with Mr Abbott describing him as “a man of the utmost integrity’’.

He also pointed to an opinion piece penned by leading barrister Julian Burnside. “Someone who knows him very well and who is no great friend of this government, Julian Burnside QC, said this morning he is a man of honour, and he is,’’ Mr Abbott said in Adelaide.

Mr Burnside wrote on the ABC’s Drumwebsite that he did not think Mr Heydon had known the function was party political fundraiser. “But if he did not know, it raises serious questions about the Liberal Party’s NSW division.”

Mr Pyne, the Leader of the House, described calls to shutter the commission as a “complete overreaction’’ and turned the focus on the NSW Liberals. “Why he was invited in the first place is beyond me,’’ he told the Nine Network. “So Dyson Heydon behaved appropriately throughout the entire process — why a barrister in the Liberal Party thought it was a good idea to invite him is ­beyond me.’’

In Sydney, the royal commission began shortly after 10am with no mention of the furore.

Senior counsel assisting, Sarah McNaughton SC, continued examining former NSW Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union boss Andrew Ferguson — brother of federal Labor backbencher Laurie Ferguson and former Labor minister Martin Ferguson — about union funds.

Ms Kearney and ACTU secretary Dave Oliver argued the royal commission had to be terminated because the appearance of “bias and partisan behaviour’’ from Mr Heydon would taint “any and all’’ of its findings.

They have written to Mr ­Abbott asking him to shut down the judicial inquiry.