Another long, damaging inquiry for Labor leader Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten’s history of AWU deals and secret spending is drawing him into another long and politically damaging investigation.

The ramifications and timing of the police investigation are huge for Labor.

The party knows this and is already accusing the government and the Australian Federal Police of political collusion in an attempt to deflect and distract from the dire political position the Opposition Leader faces.

Labor is conceding there is an issue to be investigated but seeks to play it down by saying it was 10 years ago and questioning whether “at best” it was more likely a civil matter.

Labor knows the script for this debilitating process because Julia Gillard’s leadership was blighted by questions about her role in an AWU slush fund and she was kept off balance by the continuing investigations and revelations.

Shorten’s experience before the royal commission into trade union corruption has already damaged him and cemented public scepticism about Labor’s links with union leaders.

The abhorrent and criminal behaviour of some union leaders has created a deep public suspicion with union leaders, which only reinforce Shorten’s political problems.

The investigation of the AFP into allegations of unauthorised AWU payments — including at least $100,000 in donations to GetUp! — when Shorten was involved with both takes Labor’s toxic entwining with union finances to a new level.

Both Labor and the AWU have confirmed the investigation is in part about Shorten’s involvement as an AWU boss and GetUp! board member.

Labor is desperate to smear the AFP inquiry, which is aligned with a Registered Organisations Commission investigation into the same matters, as a political stitch-up to limit the fallout for Shorten.

Describing the AFP investigation as an abuse of power, collusion and a witch-hunt is just the beginning of a process to try to inoculate Shorten from potential adverse outcomes.