| Jackson no-show in Federal Court |
Disgraced whistleblower Kathy Jackson has again unsuccessfully tried to hold off proceedings linked to her misuse of Health Services Union money.
The former HSU secretary was in August ordered to pay the union $1.4 million by Federal Court Justice Richard Tracey after he found she misappropriated its funds.
Jackson, who filed for bankruptcy mid-year, later launched an appeal.
But she didn't appear before the court's full bench on Thursday as the HSU argued her appeal bid was fruitless.
Jackson unsuccessfully asked for it to be adjourned because she was unwell and unable to represent herself.
But the union's barrister, Mark Irving, said there was no medical material to show she was too sick and argued the hearing should go ahead as a matter of 'overriding public interest'.
He said submissions from counsel assisting the royal commission into trade union corruption had relied on Justice Tracey's findings, and an indefinite adjournment could leave that hanging in the balance.
'There is an interest in allowing the royal commission to be able to proceed with a firm footing, in the way counsel assisting proposed,' Mr Irving told the court on Thursday.
Counsel assisting, Jeremy Stoljar, SC, last month released submissions which said some senior HSU management had operated with 'a sense of complete entitlement in respect of the use of members' money'.
The submission noted that Victoria Police, operating independently but in support of the commission, was undertaking a criminal investigation into Ms Jackson's activities.
Commissioner Dyson Heydon will publish a final report by December 31.
Mr Irving on Thursday told the federal court Ms Jackson had no standing to appeal because she was an undischarged bankrupt.
The court is considering the HSU's arguments about the competency of Jackson's appeal
| HAVE YOUR SAY!!! - What do you think about this story? Tell us here. |
|
