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The Australian
HSU state secretaries win first round to free
union from scandal
•
by: Ean Higgins
November 30. 201] 3:39PM
Health Services 11i 11 national st;cretar. Kathy Jackson, v hose reform propo. al was
defeated. Pictur ': Renee Nov,rytarger Sourcc: The Australian
ST ATE secrcturies in the Henlt'h Services nioo this morning achieved some crucial
initial victories in their campaign to free tlu.' nationnl union from the stench of candal
surrounding Michael \ViUiamson's HS r East branch.
At a natiunal executive m~eting in ydney, reformists led by Tasmanian branch secretary
Chris Brown w m approval for a r:ev ie of governan 'e to mak the union more democratic.
nnd a new protocol on union-appointed directorships on superannuation fund boards and
similar institution . .
Mr Brov n. who is acting national president whi le rsw police investigate corruption
allegation agai n, t 'l r Williamson. said the ote_ marked a first 'I p in making the union
mQre democratic and transparent.
"The fact thal lhe recommendation going to the national cOllIlciJ [or a democratic review \Va..
passed unan imousl" can only he good:' Mr Brown told The Australian Online.
1.;c!.96
The vote on the new protocol on directorships will require more transparency in the
nomination of union officials to outside boards, and for officials to give their fees back to the
union.
It is a defeat for national secretary Kathy Jackson, who receives $60,000 in directorship fees,
and who had put forward a more nuanced proposal which would have enabled officials to
keep such fees for themselves.
HSU East acting general secretary Peter Mylan receives more than $70,000 in fees for sitting
on the board of First State Super, but Mr Brown said that was a matter for the East branch
since that appointment was nominated by that branch.
Ms Jackson, who brought corruption allegations against Labor MP Craig Thomson and Mr
Williamson, proposed more wide-ranging reforms including a greater say for women.
The national executive did not pass her motions, but it is understand her proposals will be
considered by the governance review.
A source close to Ms Jackson claimed the other factions were joining against her to produce
an "everyone but Kathyft block.
The national executive meeting was being followed in the afternoon by a national council
meeting, where supporters of Mr Williamson have a majority.
Ms Jackson, who has been castigated by Mr Williamson's supporters for taking her
allegations to police, could face further retribution from his dominant faction.
Ms Jackson and other union figures have alleged Mr Thomson and Mr Williamson took
secret commissions in the form of American Express cards from a printing contractor with
whom the NS W branch, of which Mr Thomson was then assistant general secretary. had a
large publishing deal.
Mr Thomson, Mr Williamson, and the contractor strenuously deny the allegations.
In a paper Ms Jackson last night sent to HSU councillors, a copy of which has been obtained
by The Australian Online, she writes:
"Recent controversy surrounding allegations of wrongdoing in the union will naturally lead
us to rethink the way the union functions internally ."
"These proposals are directed to two themes. The .first is that the fundamental foundation of
good union governance is that the government of the union, nationally and in its branches, be
realistically within reach of reformers in fair election contests.
"The second theme rests on the premise that the leadership of a truly democratic organisation
will generally reflect the demographic mix of the membership. Of immediate concern here is
the issue of gender balance."
The 70,000 strong HSU represents a wide range of workers in the health sector, including
many low-paid women, often from immigrant backgrounds.
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But the union's leadership, particularly in Mr Williamson's HSU East branch, is dominated by
middle-aged, Anglo-Celt males.
At the last national executive meeting, Mr Mylan used his majority vote to thwart the reform
agenda of the non-NSW state secretaries.