| Ex-union official charged with blackmail Fihi Kivalu allowed to leave country to attend mother's funeral |
A former Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) official facing blackmail charges has been given permission to leave the country to attend his mother's funeral.
Fihi Kivalu, 39, was arrested in dramatic circumstances less than an hour after giving evidence at the trade union royal commission in July.
Allegations that Kivalu demanded bribes while working as a union official were levelled during the commission by formwork contractor Elias Taleb.
Today Kivalu's lawyer requested more time to get across the prosecution's 5,000 page evidence brief.
He also requested that Kivalu be allowed to travel to New Zealand, to attend the funeral of his mother, who died on Tuesday.
Magistrate Maria Doogan agreed, noting that a $30,000 surety was in place.
Last month Mr Kivalu was granted relaxed bail conditions so he could travel to New Zealand on business, and attend chuch with his family.
Magistrate Peter Dingwall said at the time that Kivalu had strong incentives to return to Canberra.
The case will return to court next month.
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