FORMER judge Dyson Heydon should have stood aside from the Trade Unions Royal Commission because his actions, even unintended, have compromised his position.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The royal commission is far too important to be derailed by a judge who at least appears to be partisan.
Justice Heydon had agreed to speak at a Liberal Party event in Sydney before realising it was a party fundraiser. He had also attacked the achievements of the Rudd Labor government.
Unions and the ALP have called for his head and will use Federal Parliament in an attempt to force his removal. They also want the royal commission wound up.
Justice Heydon famously called into question witness credibility of Opposition leader Bill Shorten during his testimony over his former role with the Australian Workers Union.
His tenure as the head of this inquiry will no doubt politicise the outcome of the royal commission, which is costing taxpayers more than $60 million, and therefore end up a profound disservice to taxpayers and rank and file union members.
Clearly there needs to be an inquiry into union power. The criminal activities of executive members of the Health Services Union alone is ample justification. You could also include the activities of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and allegations involving industrial bully boy tactics.
Naturally the ALP will back unions in the campaign against the commission because unions bankroll the ALP.
The fact that Justice Heydon has given them the excuse to passionately campaign against the commission is the salient reason why he should stand aside.
The royal commission is a very expensive operation, but if its final report exposes unlawful behaviour by unionists the inquiry will end up a useful and valuable service to taxpayers, unions and employers.
Justice Heydon simply blurs this thin line of credibility, with an inquiry that should be allowed to run its course. He should go, now.