Trade Unions Royal Commission: AWU to face grilling

TURC inquiry head Dyson Heydon has announced two weeks’ of new hearings into the Australian Workers’ Union.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten may be called again to face the union royal commission.

Bill Shorten may be recalled to give evidence before the trade union royal commission next month, after inquiry head Dyson Heydon announced two weeks’ of new hearings into the Australian Workers’ Union.

In a statement released today, the commission’s spokesman said: “The Royal Commission has set aside 10 days for hearings into the AWU in Sydney between October 12 and 23.

“At this stage the Commission does not propose to recall Mr Shorten as a witness,” the commission said.

“However, during the course of the inquiry, affected parties may seek authorisation to cross examine Mr Shorten.”

“In the event that such an application is made, it will be considered in due course”.

The Opposition Leader appeared before the royal commission in July, when Mr Heydon publicly questioned the former AWU national secretary’s credibility in the witness box.

Justice Heydon accused him of being “non-responsive” in answering questions about AWU agreements with a number of companies, and expressed concerns about his credibility as a witness.

Mr Shorten said he had answered all of the commission’s questions and stood by his record of defending workers’ rights.

The Opposition Leader demanded Justice Heydon stand down after it emerged he was scheduled to speak at a fundraiser for the NSW Liberal Party.

Justice Heydon withdrew from the event, but Mr Shorten and the unions claimed he had compromised his independence as royal commissioner.

Additional reporting: Jared Owens