Royal commission hampered by distraction of Gillard

FROM the beginning, Tony Abbott’s Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption looked like political payback from the new Coalition government.

When Julia Gillard came into the focus of the inquiry it looked even more like it and made it almost impossible for the government to argue otherwise.

In practical terms, the media focus on the former prime minister’s appearances and contested evidence ensured the commission would be distracted from its initial, main purpose — shedding light on corrupt union behaviour. And so it has come to pass. Despite findings in the interim report of widespread corruption, thuggery, intimidation and undue political influence in the union movement, the public eye remains on the headline that Gillard will not be charged.

Whether Gillard would face criminal charges was not the main question supposed to have been answered and yet that is the result of interest.

The problems of the CFMEU and AWU being riddled with slush funds, Labor appointments being compromised through union funds and an outlaw approach from some unions have been put in the shade. Unlike the first Abbott royal commission into corruption in the construction industry — of both unions and employers — which made meaningful findings and real difference to productivity, this one is battling to make headway because of a political sideshow centred on Gillard’s slush fund sidekicks, her allegedly corrupt union boss boyfriend, Bruce Wilson, and his offsider Ralph Blewitt.