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A ROYAL Commission will be held into union corruption, Prime Minister Tony Abbott (pictured) has announced today.
Headed by former High Court judge John Dyson, the commission will have a wide-ranging brief to "go where the evidence leads it".
Abbott sees this inquiry as fulfilling an election promise to look into the Australian Workers’ Union slush fund scandal, while recent revelations about organised crime infiltration of the construction industry has added further impetus.
Abbott says there is “increasing concern” about revelations out of the industy involving union the slush funds, unlawful kickbacks, standover tactics and other corrupt behaviour.
The Business Council of Australia has welcomed the move. Chief executive Jennifer Westacott says recent allegations made of the union movement should cause alarm.
“As well as looking at the specific allegations which have come to light, the Royal Commission must investigate the systemic governance and accountability failures which have given rise to such serious misconduct, criminality and corruption,” she says.
Westacott called for the immediate restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Labor and the Greens have both voiced opposition to the move, believing a police taskforce would be better suited to the task.
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