Police Charge Former HSU Boss Michael Williamson with FRAUD!
From left: Craig Thomson, Michael Williamson, Kathy Jackson.
UPDATE: Police have laid charges former boss of the Health Services Union Michael Williamson after he appeared at the Maroubra Police Station this morning.
Mr Williamson is facing 20 charges including Fraud.
Mr Williamson is one of three individuals at the centre of corruption allegations at the HSU embroiling Craig Thomson and Kathy Jackson.
Mr Williamson has been arrested for allegedly attempting to “hinder investigations into fraud and corruption within the union.”
Police expect to lay charges with a number of offences including “corruption at the Union,” “recruiting a person to engage in criminal activity” and “publishing false statements.”
Is the person Craig Thomson?
Former Labor MP Craig Thomson was assistant secretary of the NSW branch of the HSU from 1999 to 2002. Mr Thomson was suspended from his membership of the ALP earlier this year and now sits as an independent.
A police officer at Maroubra Police Station confirmed that Mr Williamson had entered the station this morning, and told The Daily Trash that “a lot of suits had been walking in and out.”
It’s the first he has been seen since July, when he quit as national present of the union by text message.
Mr Williamson stood aside in September last year amid allegations of misuse of union funds following an investigation by Fair Work Australia and the AFP and the findings of a report by barrister Ian Temby QC.
Mr Temby found more than $20 million of questionable payments were made to suppliers without any form of tendering or contract.
His report into the HSU East branch revealed extravagant salaries, excessive credit cards claims, misuse of union funds, nepotism and poor governance.
Mr Williamson was the president of the Australian Labor Party at the time of the alleged activities.
theguttertrash.com 
Mr Williamson was the president of the Australian Labor Party at the time of the alleged activities.
I reckon we’ll be hearing that repeated a fair bit in the coming days 😉
Thom(p)son appears to be untouchable. I wonder why that might be?
Thomson is implicated…
“It was also revealed that he and Federal MP Craig Thomson, the union’s former national secretary, received a secret commission in the way of an American Express card from a major supplier to the union.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/former-union-boss-michael-williamson-arrested-20121004-270fo.html#ixzz28HTxVr1C
• Kathy Jackson has a relationship with someone who works in the same 13 story building as the person who did an investigation of Thomson!
• Craig Thomson has “no case to answer”
• Williamson is definitely a worthy ALP president, but no he isn’t now.
• It was all so long ago, like 6 years. Unless it is something Abbott may or may not have done 35 years ago.
wixxy broke that story last night, I guess he has an ear into the action. It’s pretty much as expected that Williamson would have to be arrested, be an interesting court case perhaps.
Also interesting is a post from a commentator at vexnews last night [am repeating as seen, so apologies in advance if it turns out to be untrue].
Paul says:
October 3, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Mystery surrounds VP Lawler FOI request
Exclusive
Fair Work Australia President Justice Iain Ross has directed tribunal members and staff to search for any documents relating to discussions within FWA regarding articles about Vice President Michael Lawler posted on the Vexnews.com website.
It comes in response to a freedom of information request. However, mystery surrounds the identity of the person making the request, with FWA refusing to release details.
Vexnews has published several articles online about VP Lawler’s relationship with Kathy Jackson. Jackson told Workforce Daily VP Lawler had not made a FOI request to FWA. A spokesperson for Senator Eric Abetz confirmed the senator’s office was not involved. Vexnews editor Andrew Landeryou told Workforce he had not filed a FOI request either.
HSU member Daniel Govan, an operating theatre technician at Royal Melbourne Hospital who first filed corruption charges against Kathy Jackson, told Workforce he had lodged a FOI request but it did not “pertain specifically to VP Lawler”.
In a leaked email sent by Justice Ross to all FWA members this morning, he reveals the FOI request relates to “documents relating to discussions within FWA about articles posted on the website ‘Vexnews – http://www.vexnews.com‘ about Vice President Michael Lawler, from 1 January 2012 – 10 September 2012″. “Please undertake a search for documents that may be relevant to this request. Please advise me no later than Monday 8 October 2012 if your chambers,” Justice Ross said.
FWA is due to make a decision on the request by October 18, he said.
Oh apologies already, I took it from wixxyleaks, not vexnews
http://wixxyleaks.com/2012/10/02/mama-said-knock-you-out/
Thomson is implicated…
I think the word you are looking for is ‘insinuated’ there reb. 😉
The card in question was not from Canme from recollection, so totally unrelated (yet sprouted again cos…well cos). And the Temby report (upon which this is appears to be based on) barely mentions Thom(p)son.
But lets throw in thommo and credit card to round out the story anyway, shall we 😉
Williamson has been (allegedly) up to all this misuse of member’s resources for years. He’s held the most senior positions available in the ALP while he was engaged in all this (alleged) rorting.
Thomson didn’t invent it, he just fell into line with the existing culture. Thomson just found it easier to conform to the grubbiness and self-interest, than to resist it.
Union officials justify their rorting by and excessive salaries pointing out-
• “Bosses” get expense accounts.
• “Bosses” probably make dubious expense claims.
• They’re CEOs of a big union and should be paid as CEOs.
• Their son/daughter/wife provides a good service, why shouldn’t they be given the job?
• No one got hurt… and the favourite…
• Look over there!!
balance…tomR…balance, it doesn’t have to be factual or anything.
We must have research based evidence put alongside pure rubbish so the ‘other side’ has their view heard. Gut feeling is just as good as evidence apparently.
You know what happens if the ABC shows a story that the fibs don’t like, there’s a million people organised to write letters screaming bias everywhere.
Thomson didn’t invent it, he just fell into line with the existing culture.
Wow, not what we’ve become used to hearing, I thought he was evil personified and the most craven individual to walk the earth!
Union officials justify their rorting by and excessive salaries pointing out-
• “Bosses” get expense accounts.
• “Bosses” probably make dubious expense claims.
• They’re CEOs of a big union and should be paid as CEOs.
• Their son/daughter/wife provides a good service, why shouldn’t they be given the job?
You know tomm, there’s an element of truth to that isn’t there? You reckon that unions should be run as corporations. And we know that the above all happens in business.
Craig Thomson has “no case to answer”
It certainly looks that way, doesn’t it 😉
Thomson just found it easier to conform to the grubbiness and self-interest, than to resist it.
Perhaps. Or perhaps he simply tried to straighten things out from the inside.
Either way, your line of attack seems to mellowing somewhat from ‘case to argue’ to just ‘one of the boys’
Thomson didn’t invent it, he (sic – allegedly) just fell into line with the existing culture
I thought you almost had the concept for a minute there … ToM … 😦
Disclaimer: I don’t like any of the bastards involved in this (alleged) HSU scandal …)
You know what happens if the ABC shows a story that the fibs don’t like
Oh, I like that … chuckle … as in the Fibral Party (Pharty?) … 😆
And it seems that the upper management of australian business have no worries at all about rorts, bribes, nepotism and corruption. Apparently that is how the ‘real world’ works and it is quite acceptable because they are forces of good…or something. People are getting rich and it says how much good they do in their mission of service. And as long as they are running any government of this country, getting all the contracts and taxpayer funding, everything is sweet.
Bloody unions, they are the only ones who spoil things for business, if only they could give their money away to the workers and the community!
Wicks is hilarious. He’s claiming that this proves he was right all along about Jackson.
Unfknblvble.
Wicks ought to declare how he came by his info.
Was it leaked by a cop?
Did Williamson tell his little mate?
Did Williamson tell Thomson who told his mate Wicks?
BREAKING NEWS!!
Williamson charged with FRAUD!
Former official Michael Williamson has been charged with 20 offences over an alleged cover-up of corruption within the Health Services Union.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-04/hsu-boss-likely-to-be-charged/4294668
Detective Superintendent Dyson did not rule out further arrests in relation to the investigation.
“I want to make it clear that the investigation has not cleared any persons of interest,” he said.
“In fact, we have more persons of interest now than when the investigation started.”
Union officials and company directors/managers are (should be) subject to all of the same laws (except where union officials are given special exemptions under the Fair Work Act ). Unless someone can come up with a case where a company director/manager/whatever has been alleged to have committed a crime, but they were not investigated “because they are forces of good”, then all this “but companies are just as bad as unions” is just more Look Over There-ism.
“In fact, we have more persons of interest now than when the investigation started.”
So, does he mean jackson ❓
(I thought I would get that in before someone said it must be Thom(p)son) 😉
From Chris Kenny via twitter…
‘Look he was only Labor’s national president – it’s not like he hosted a radio show or anything.’
🙂
Update:
“Williamson’s alleged to have stolen millions from the union.”
Following Thursday’s developments, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott quickly linked the HSU scandal to Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
“The Prime Minister was the last person in the country who was still expressing full confidence in Craig Thomson and the administration of the Health Services Union,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday morning.
“The Prime Minister is still relying on the tainted vote of the Health Services Union representative in parliament. Until the Prime Minister completely repudiated this kind of union of activity, the public rightly will conclude this is a seriously ethically challenged prime minister.”
http://afr.com/p/national/ex_hsu_boss_williamson_charged_i4ZG8RQXAp6uBQe9ip4PMK
As I said earlier, that will be getting a lot of airplay today.
Even though these are the same muppets who cried all week about linking tabot with jones. They have done this with the HSU all along.
And they are well within their right to.
And I tabot is going off half cocked again, it’s about Williamson, not Thom(p)son (although, he MUST be guilty, of something)
Does one of Williamson’s relatives work for Gillard (or the ALP)? And do they “share an office”?
Because if Gillard has “shared an office” with one of those people, that means they have probably exchanged favours, probably used influence, they probably have coffee together.
It looks like Gillard has plenty of explaining to do!
(at least on the basis of evidence Wicks applies)
**Note – the definition of “sharing an office” means working in the same 13 story building, and working in the same multi story building is also evidence of “exchanging favours”… according to Wicks.
**Note – the definition of “sharing an office” means working in the same 13 story building, and working in the same multi story building is also evidence of “exchanging favours”… according to Wicks.
You mean, as painstakingly explained to you by Wicks when he mentioned it 😉
Just thought I’d pop in …. and out … 🙄
And the lead story in The Age at the moment is that Tony Windsor reckons Tony Abbott is only 50/50 to lead the Coalition to the next election.
Unfknblvble.
Actually, this was the lead just now snacty
http://www.theage.com.au/business/transurban-talks-tolls-the-day-after-tunnel-chaos-20121004-270zl.html
Reblogged this on Justacceptit's Blog.
So we have a former ALP President charged with stealing millions from struggling union members. Also 180 adverse findings against the bloke the ALP relies on for its survival.
Is there any whiff about this political party and the government?
‘Just thought I’d pop in …. and out …’
Me too. Also noticed the kaf don’t think this fraud newsworthy.
Update:
NSW Police have refused to rule out that suspended-now-Independent MP Craig Thomson is not a person of interest.
However, Suspended Labor MP Craig Thomson says he is not one of the 5 persons of interest NSW Police are investigating in relation to the HSU…
Fair bet, then, that Craig Thomson is one of the five.
Thomson has nothing to prove.
He’s in parliament, though may not retain the “complete confidence” that Gillard had previously expressed in him.
But somehow, somewhere, sometime he “crossed a line”, though we don’t know what the line is, or when it was crossed.
What we do know about Jackson though is she has a case to answer and her partner has influenced a FWA investigation.
We know this because Wicks has stated it.
But somehow, somewhere, sometime he “crossed a line”
err, it wasn’t Thom(p)son that ‘crossed the line’ yomm. Perhaps you need to recap 😉
“err, it wasn’t Thom(p)son that ‘crossed the line’ ”
I’m fairly certain that it was… 😯
That’s right. It was Slipper who “crossed a line”, but we don’t know what the line was, other than it had something to do with molecules.
So Gillard just kicked out Thomson for no reason, no line crossed? What’s the proof to justify her actions?
I suppose either way, it’s another example of “ethics, Gillard style”
“we don’t know what the line was, other than it had something to do with molecules”
🙂
“Prosecution counsel … would you like to present your case?”
(It’s) Fair bet … that Craig Thomson is one of the five. M’lad … 😆
“.must have research based evidence put alongside pure rubbish so the ‘other side’ has their view heard..” .. .. .. .. (the-rest)
+
Yes Armchair. .. You have been watching my Jonathan this week. ..
Some of us have been screeching about this fake `balance` for years now. .. Good to see my Jonathan is starting top Listen.
http://730reportland.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/media-balance/
“we don’t know what the line was, other than it had something to do with molecules”
We do know that the comments were made after a week where the media had unhinged itself more completely than usual over the Slipper affair, and left all presumption of innocence behind in their attempts to outdo each other. In that light, and considering that Thom(p)son hadn’t spoken or done anything differently in the lead up to the comments, take a look at just what ‘line’ might have been referred to.
And then, reflect on the recent jones embarrassment. Several comments over at Tim Dunlops article reflect on the reason why there has been such outrage over this latest drivel, when others have been allowed to slide under the radar, to do with a straw and a camels back.
The line was crossed months ago, as recognised by the PM, others chose not to recognise the line for what it was.
Some of us have been screeching about this fake `balance` for years now. ..
Myself being one of them. Not that it’ll change anything now that the ABC has had a corporate takeover.
““I don’t think this is a chemical formula about one molecule plus another molecule gives you an answer.”
“We do know that the comments were made after a week where the media had unhinged itself more completely than usual over the Slipper affair, and left all presumption of innocence behind in their attempts to outdo each other. In that light, and considering that Thom(p)son hadn’t spoken or done anything differently in the lead up to the comments, take a look at just what ‘line’ might have been referred to.”
Are you deliriously in love? Do you hang on every slimy word that slithers from her lips, believing even the most nonsensical symptoms of mad cow disease to be that rare combination of lyrical genius and eternal truth?
Here’s a clue: when you feel that warm diarrhetic dribble trickle down your inner leg just quietly wipe it up and say no more about it. Whatever you don’t smear it all over these pages thereby risking ridicule and revulsion.
Gillard’s comments were made at a time when she was being asked hard questions going to her integrity and candour. She had no real reply, other than “I’ve given you the answer I’m going to give you.” and the statement quoted above.
The fact is, Tom R, that Gillard has been going down hill since she bloodied her hands with Rudd’s execution. She gives the impression that there is absolutely nothing she would not say or do to retain power. Yet you don’t seem to perceive any fault at all. The only possible explanation seems to be that you have succumbed to cynical partisan bias, but I could be wrong. Do you have a better explanation?
Yet you don’t seem to perceive any fault at all.
I’ve never said that. I just don’t dwell on them here, there is enough outrage about that without me adding to it. I have dwelled on it elsewhere, you know, where no-one disagrees. Here I just like to point out every now and then where your outrage outstrips common sense. Above is a good example.
Gillard is a politician, and all politicians are forced to make tough decisions that they might not prefer. Gillard just does it with far more rationale and far more scruples than the opposition are able to manage. Wilkie (and other conservative independents) appears to understand this, even though not many here appear to.
And yes, I do listen to the words, they offer an insight into what is being said. Try it someday 😉
“Wilkie (and other conservative independents) appears to understand this…”
Oh come on Tom, you’re really taking the piss..
“Wilkie appears to understand this..?”
Mate, Wilkie was ropeable when Gillard tore up their written agreement to act on pokie reform. It was that agreement that compelled Wilkie to back Gillard in the first place.
To suggest that somehow Wilkie “understands” Gillard’s duplicitous conduct is not just factually incorrect it’s disingenuous.
” I do listen to the words, they offer an insight into what is being said.”
So what was the molecules response all about then…..?
Mate, Wilkie was ropeable when Gillard tore up their written agreement to act on pokie reform.
I AGREE!!. yet he still supports the Government, rather than handing it to tabot on a platter.
So what was the molecules response all about then…..?
It was about what was said.
“It was about what was said.”
What does that even mean? Why not just say: “I’ve given you the answer I’m going to give you”?
Splatter…..it’ll be about “comprehension”. You watch.
LOL! Good call splatterbottom!
Yes, I should have just dropped in a standard non-reply, instead of clarifying. Obviously my bad 😯
‘I have dwelled on it elsewhere, you know, where no-one disagrees.’
Does this place have a name?
” yet he still supports the Government, rather than handing it to tabot on a platter.”
Best not elevate the motivations of the independents.
Wilkie was duded by Gillard’s dishonesty. She made an agreement in writing, and did not attempt to deliver her own party, she didn’t even have the authority to deliver her own caucus.. Instead of attempting to meet her commitment, she came up with a further grubby deal, with Slipper. Either Gillard was dishonest when she made the agreement with Wilkie, or she was dishonest when she broke.
Whether Wilkie continues to support the government is moot. He’s most likely interested in seeing out as much of his term as possible. But the parliament could do with more independents like Wilkie, and fewer like Oakeshott and Windsor.
While there are plenty of examples of Gillard’s dishonesty, her “clever negotiation” with Wilkie is about the clearest example.
The others – Oakeshott and Windsor – are disaffected Nationals. Both know that the threat to the longevity of their careers comes from the Nationals, not the ALP. They are both bitterly disposed towards the Nationals, that’s the significant part of their motivation, not that Gillard is a “better negotiator”
Oakeshott was popular in his electorate when he was less prominent. Now that people hear more of him, they’ve turned on him, understandably. The youthful representative with the nice smile is now seen by his electorate as an out of touch, self-important, verbose dim wit.
They are both bitterly disposed towards the Nationals
Yes, but if Gillard was a reprehensible as made out here, wouldn’t they be ‘ bitterly disposed towards’ Labor then?
The evidence doesn’t fall that way.
Oakeshott was popular in his electorate when he was less prominent. Now that people hear more of him, they’ve turned on him,
😯
Guess they slept walked into that one 😉
Are you deliriously in love? Do you hang on every slimy word that slithers from her lips, believing even the most nonsensical symptoms of mad cow disease to be that rare combination of lyrical genius and eternal truth?
Here’s a clue: when you feel that warm diarrhetic dribble trickle down your inner leg just quietly wipe it up and say no more about it. Whatever you don’t smear it all over these pages thereby risking ridicule and revulsion.
sp, is Alan Jones! 😯