Whistleblower or troublemaker?

IT'S impossible to ignore the fracas that has engulfed the Health Services Union and leached into federal politics in recent months.

IT'S impossible to ignore the fracas that has engulfed the Health Services Union and leached into federal politics in recent months.

At the centre of it all stands Kathy Jackson - who, depending on who you listen to, is either a courageous whistleblower or a troublemaker on a power trip.

We haven't set out to untangle every claim and counterclaim of wrongdoing; journalist Cameron Stewart instead focuses on Jackson for our cover story.

There's no doubt that she has suffered for her cause, but my sympathies lie with the membership of the union, which includes many low-paid but valuable health service workers. They deserve better.