AWU affair

In 1992, the legal entity "AWU Workplace Reform Association" was established for Australian Workers' Union state secretary Bruce Wilson and assistant secretary Ralph Blewitt,{{cite news |last1=Farrell |first1=Paul |title=Ralph Blewitt tells royal commission he didn't write statement he gave to police |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/13/ralph-blewitt-royal-commission-police-statement |access-date=4 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=13 May 2014 |quote=Former Australian Workers Union assistant secretary Ralph Blewitt told the royal commission into union governance and corruption he did not write a statement he provided to the Victorian police in relation to events at the AWU... “If I have perjured myself in this matter by stating this is a true and correct statement then I apologise to the court.”}} without the knowledge of the national leaders of the AWU.{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Hedley|title=Revealed: Julia Gillard lost her job after law firm's secret investigation|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/revealed-julia-gillard-lost-her-job-after-law-firms-secret-investigation/story-fn6tcxar-1226452973559 |accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=18 August 2012}} As part of the formal establishment process, the association was described as being formed for the purpose of "development of changes to work to achieve safe workplaces",{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Hedley|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/julia-gillard-set-up-work-safety-entity-that-was-a-slush-fund/story-fn6tcxar-1226456179736|title=Julia Gillard set up 'work safety' entity that was a slush fund|newspaper=The Australian|date=23 August 2012|accessdate=23 August 2012}} and included in its objectives the aim to "support and assist union officials and union members."Probyn, Andrew. (30 November 2012). "[https://archive.today/20130105192028/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/15518911/a-poisonous-end-to-the-year/ A poisonous end to the year]". The West Australian, Retrieved 31 November 2012.

In 1993, Wilson arranged the purchase of a house for Ralph Blewitt. It is alleged that the house was part paid for by funds "drawn from accounts directly related to the AWU Workplace Reform Association", with the balance lent by Slater & Gordon.

A police investigation in 1995 and 1996 looked into the possible misappropriation of funds through the association, and in 1996 Ian Cambridge, former national secretary of the AWU and currently a commissioner of Fair Work Australia, lodged an affidavit claiming that Wilson and Blewitt had extorted money from construction companies.{{cite news|last=Freebairn|first=Pip|title=Federal judge named in Gillard affair|url=http://www.afr.com/p/national/federal_judge_named_in_gillard_affair_9SuWq03Wd27fCsBsS9FLAO|accessdate=22 August 2012|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=22 August 2012}} A memo written in 1997 by WA police fraud squad Detective Sergeant David McAlpine stated that police suspected that the association was used by Wilson and Blewitt to allegedly fraudulently obtain over $400,000 from major construction companies.{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Hedley|title=Cops wanted Julia Gillard's ex, Bruce Wilson, charged|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/cops-wanted-julia-gillards-ex-bruce-wilson-charged/story-fn6tcs23-1226442634336|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=4 August 2012}} At the time, a police investigation did not lead to any charges being laid, and the police decided not to take any further action. However, after new evidence emerged during 2012, Victorian police reopened the investigation.(29 November 2012). "[http://www.news.com.au/national/witnesses-quizzed-over-awu-scandal/story-fncynjr2-1226526127202 Witnesses quizzed over AWU scandal ]". News Limited Network. Retrieved 18 February 2012.Baker, Mark. (24 January 2013). "[http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/police-extend-awu-slush-fund-inquiry-20130123-2d7d2.html Police extend AWU slush fund inquiry]". The Age. Retrieved 28 February 2013.

Slater & Gordon lost the AWU account over the affair.{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=Paul|title=Gillard's conduct and judgment in public spotlight|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/gillards-ethics-and-judgment-in-public-spotlight/story-e6frg74x-1226455236267|accessdate=22 August 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=22 August 2012}}

File:Julia Gillard 2010.jpg who was romantically involved with Bruce Wilson at the time of the alleged embezzlement]]

Julia Gillard worked in the industrial department of Slater & Gordon from 1988 through to 1995.Grech, Andrew. (20 August 2012). "[http://www.slatergordon.com.au/media/news-media-releases/vic-act-sa-tas-nt/Statement-regarding-the-employment-of-Prime-Minister-Gillard Statement regarding the employment of Prime Minister Gillard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127141637/http://www.slatergordon.com.au/media/news-media-releases/vic-act-sa-tas-nt/Statement-regarding-the-employment-of-Prime-Minister-Gillard |date=2012-11-27 }}". Retrieved 1 December 2012. In 1991, while she was a lawyer with the firm Slater & Gordon, Gillard was also in a romantic relationship with Bruce Wilson.{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Hedley|title=The political controversy that won't go away|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/the-political-controversy-that-wont-go-away/story-fn59niix-1226452912534|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=18 August 2012}}{{cite news|last=Milne|first=Glenn|title=Gillard's stunning confession|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/gillards-stunning-confession/story-e6freuzi-1111114848862|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 November 2007}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/management/our-julia/2007/05/18/1178995371860.html |title=Our Julia|last=Valent|first=Dani|date=18 May 2007 |work=The Age | publisher=Fairfax | accessdate=26 June 2010 | location=Melbourne, Australia}} Gillard provided legal assistance to help establish the AWU Workplace Reform Association. She was also involved in providing legal services in relation to the purchase of the Fitzroy property by Wilson and Blewitt. Slater & Gordon investigated Gillard's conduct and prior to the conclusion of the investigation, Gillard took leave from the firm and later resigned to pursue her political career.Sales, Leigh. (22 November 2012). "[http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3639012.htm Former Slater and Gordon partner explores AWU scandal]. 7:30 Report, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 December 2012

Gillard has subsequently described the intent of the association as being to assist in the re-election of union officials and as a "slush fund", which commentators{{who|date=November 2012}} have argued as being at odds with the association's stated purpose. Gillard responded by stating that she only provided legal assistance, and that she neither drafted the passage in the legal documentation describing the association's purpose, nor signed the papers.{{cite news | last = Packham | first = Ben | date = 23 August 2012 | title = Julia Gillard breaks silence on union fund | work = The Australian | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/julia-gillard-breaks-silence-on-law-firm-fund/story-fn59niix-1226456703199 | accessdate = 23 August 2012 }} However, she later admitted that she drafted the rules for the association, basing them on the "Socialist Forum" student organisation rules she had earlier established at Melbourne University, and it is alleged that she wrote to the Western Australia Corporate Affairs Commission to deny that the association was a trade union organisation.{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Mark|title=Document contradicts Gillard fund claims|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/document-contradicts-gillard-fund-claims-20121128-2aep3.html|accessdate=29 November 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning herald|date=29 November 2012}}Thomas, Hedly. (29 November 2012) "[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/proof-pm-told-firm-what-she-wont-tell-parliament/story-fng5kxvh-1226526159739 Proof: PM told firm what she won't tell parliament]", The Australian. Retrieved 29 November 2012. In compliance with Slater and Gordon's standard procedure of providing free advice for minor matters to unions and their officers, Gillard did not open a formal file within the firm's records system, however she later faced partisan allegations that this was contrary to standard legal practice.{{cite web |title=Transcript of press conference, Canberra {{!}} Prime Minister of Australia |url=http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-press-conference-canberra-30 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |access-date=4 July 2024 |date=28 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828035057/http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-press-conference-canberra-30 |archive-date=2012-08-28 |quote=JOURNALIST: Can you tell us just quickly why didn't you open a file on this matter, as would have been common practice? PM: I'm glad you’ve asked me that question because it gives me the opportunity to clarify this. Working at Slater & Gordon in the industrial section as I did for a number of years, it was par for the course to routinely provide free advice to union officials and trade unions. We worked closely with officials. We worked closely with trade unions. We would provide limited free advice to them. Of course at a particular point when a job became big or it was occasioning disbursements for the firm like court filing fees or barrister's fees, a file would be opened. But I would routinely sit with officials of a clothing trades union and provide them with free advice about pursuing a claim for an out-worker, and keep those documents either on a file labelled JEG General, my initials, Julia Eileen Gillard, or a file labelled CTU General, Clothing Trades Union, or sometimes on a file that you would create for the holding of those documents but you would not go to the stage of formally opening it up on the system because you didn’t expect the matter to go further. I’ll keep answering the questions so there’s no need to interrupt. I took the same approach in relation to this file for the Australian Workers Union association. With the benefit of hindsight, of course it would have been better that I had opened the file on the system, but at the time it did not strike me as a matter of particular significance.}}{{cite news |last1=Packham |first1=Ben |title=Coalition targets Julia Gillard's conduct as a lawyer |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/greens-back-julia-gillards-stand-on-law-firm/news-story/beb0d0eff24d195dbc5b5e656462a666?amp= |access-date=4 July 2024 |work=The Australian |publisher=Nationwide News |date=22 August 2012 |quote=[Editor's note: The story's main text is presumably hidden behind the News Corp. paywall] - THE Coalition says Julia Gillard behaved in an ethically questionable manner as a lawyer when she failed to open a file for controversial legal work.}}

According to a 20 August 2012 press release by Slater and Gordon, upon learning of the AWU/Bruce Wilson allegations in August 1995, it conducted an internal legal review, which found "nothing which contradicted the information provided by Ms Gillard" and in which Gillard denied any wrongdoing."[http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/i-did-nothing-wrong-gillard-on-law-firm-resignation-20120819-24g0c.html I did nothing wrong: Gillard on law firm resignation]", (19 August 2012). Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 December 2012.

In 2012, Nick Styant-Browne, a former partner of Slater & Gordon involved in the investigation said that "there was deep disquiet amongst the partnership about Ms Gillard's conduct and it was never necessary for the partnership to resolve that issue because Ms Gillard herself elected to resign". According to a redacted transcript of the interview, Gillard was, at that time, unable to categorically rule out being a beneficiary of the fund, because there was a dispute over one part of the renovations on her own home along with a rumour that the union had been approached about payment of an unpaid, disputed invoice. Subsequently, at her comprehensive press conference in August 2012 and under oath at the subsequent Trade Union Royal Commission, she emphatically stated that she had paid for all her own renovations herself.{{cite news|last1=Mickelborough|first1=Peter|title=Julia Gillard gives evidence at Royal Commission into union corruption|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/julia-gillard-gives-evidence-at-royal-commission-into-union-corruption/news-story/1d38e1ace4606880a9b466db37d0d5cb|accessdate=21 March 2017|work=Herald Sun|publisher=news.com.au|date=10 September 2014}}{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Mark|title=Sold to the union man|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/sold-to-the-union-man-20121009-27b4e.html|accessdate=15 November 2012|newspaper=Brisbane Times|date=10 October 2012}} Styant-Browne stated that the interview was recorded and transcribed,{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/the-pm-the-law-firm-and-the-slush-fund-20120821-24kmh.html|newspaper=The Canberra Times|title=The PM, the law firm and the slush fund|date=22 August 2012|accessdate=22 August 2012}} and alleged that Gillard resigned as a result of the investigation.{{cite news|last=Butterly|first=Nick|title=Pressure on Gillard over law job exit|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/14594271/pressure-on-gillard-over-law-job-exit/|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=The West Australian|date=20 August 2012}} In the assessment of Styant-Browne "trust and confidence had evaporated" between the partners and Gillard. Peter Gordon, an equity partner who investigated Gillard in 1995, said that he found no evidence Gillard was involved in any wrongdoing, and confirmed in 2012 that was still his opinion.{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Michael|title=No evidence Gillard had case to answer, says the investigating lawyer|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/no-evidence-gillard-had-case-to-answer-says-the-investigating-lawyer-20120821-24kll.html|accessdate=22 August 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=22 August 2012}} Andrew Grech, the Managing Director of Slater & Gordon, also stated that the 1995 investigation found no improper behaviour by Gillard, and said that Gillard did not resign as a result of the investigation, but instead took a leave of absence in order to campaign for a Senate position, and resigned in 1996 to work for the Victorian opposition leader.{{cite news|last=Coorey|first=Phillip|title=Gillard cleared of wrongdoing by former employer|url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/gillard-cleared-of-wrongdoing-by-former-employer-20120819-24gnf.html|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=The Age|date=20 August 2012}}

Contemporaneously, Phil Gude, a minister in the Victorian Liberal Government, spoke of Gillard's connection to the affair in the Victorian Parliament on 12 October 1995. Gude alleged that Gillard's Senate candidature "may not be the only reason she is no longer working for Slater & Gordon" and that she may have indirectly received a financial benefit through the association, and may therefore have been a recipient of fraudulently obtained funds. In particular, it was alleged that part of her home renovations were paid for out of the fund without Gillard's knowledge, although Gillard has repeatedly denied that this occurred, and no evidence that disproves her account has been produced. The issue was again raised in the Victorian state parliament by a Liberal Party MP in 2001.{{cite news|last=O'Brien|first=Natalie|title=The PM, an old flame and a lot of smoke|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-pm-an-old-flame-and-a-lot-of-smoke-20120818-24f3m.html|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 August 2012}}

In 2012, it was revealed that Ian Cambridge, in investigating the claims, had recorded in his diary on 25 September 1995, that Victorian AWU official Helmut Gries had alleged that union funds had been used to fund renovations on Gillard's home.{{cite news|title=Union official who first raised Julia Gillard renovation claims now doubts his own story|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/union-official-who-first-raised-julia-gillard-renovation-claims-now-doubts-his-own-story/story-fng5kxvh-1226516991591|accessdate=15 November 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=15 November 2012|author=Hedley Thomas|author2=Pia Akerman}} However, when asked about the matter in 2012, Gries stated that although he considered Cambridge very honest, he did not believe he made the allegation to Cambridge in 1996, and that he would not have been aware of any issues in regard to the renovations.

File:RobertMcClelland.jpg worked as a lawyer for Ian Cambridge, the former AWU national secretary, who detected the alleged misuse of funds in the 1990s. McClelland raised Gillard's connection to the AWU affair during a 2012 speech to the Australian Parliament.]]

In 2011, reporter Glenn Milne covered the allegations, on the website of The Australian, including a claim regarding Gillard's living arrangements with Wilson.{{cite news|last=Wright|first=Tony|title=Bombshell for Gillard explodes under Murdoch press|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/bombshell-for-gillard-explodes-under-murdoch-press-20110829-1jipb.html|accessdate=22 August 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 August 2011}} Gillard contacted the chief executive of Milne's paper and threatened legal action over the story.{{cite news|last=Hannan|first=Ewin|title=8am call that put Julia Gillard's old news on front page|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/am-call-that-put-pms-old-news-on-front-page/story-fn59niix-1226128513341|accessdate=22 August 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=3 September 2011}} The story was removed and an apology and retraction was posted in its place. Milne based part of the article on a statutory declaration by a former AWU vice president, Bob Kernohan, that had been aired by 2UE presenter, Michael Smith.{{cite news|last=Crook|first=Andrew|title=Milne debacle: how a 16 year old story was spiked by The Oz|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/08/29/milne/|accessdate=22 August 2012|newspaper=crikey.com.au|date=29 August 2011}}{{cite web|last=Holmes|first=Jonathan|title=All dredged up and nowhere to go|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3310493.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231065142/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3310493.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2012|work=Media Watch|date=5 September 2011|publisher=abc.net.au|accessdate=22 August 2012}} ABC's television program Media Watch found that the allegation had been considered untrue by News Limited lawyers and removed from an article Milne wrote in 2007. Michael Smith left his position at 2UE over editorial differences that emerged as a result of an interview which he had recorded with Kernohan about the allegations but never aired,Bridy, Michael. (12 November 2011). "[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/host-smith-reaches-settlement-to-leave-2ue/story-e6frg996-1226193141083 Host Michael Smith reaches settlement to leave 2UE]". The Australian. Retrieved 28 August 2012. and Milne was dropped from his roles at The Australian and the ABC's Insiders program.Holmes, Jonathan. (27 August 2012) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20120830045118/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3577014.htm Scandal-mongering or good reporting?]", Media Watch, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 August 2012."[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/abc-dumps-commentator-glenn-milne/story-e6frg996-1226128862753 ABC dumps commentator Glenn Milne]" The Australian. 3 September 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2012.

The issue was raised in Federal Parliament in June 2012 by Labor MP Robert McClelland.{{cite news|last=Freebairn|first=Pip|title=Dumped A-G says Labor soft on corrupt unions|url=http://afr.com/p/national/dumped_says_labor_soft_on_corrupt_lUhqJfL80HS4DElNqvhTNP|accessdate=26 August 2012|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=22 June 2012}} Formerly Attorney General of Australia, McClelland had been demoted by Gillard some six months earlier.{{cite news|last=Osborne|first=Paul|title=We wanted to stay, say two Labor ministers|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/we-wanted-to-stay-say-two-labor-ministers-20111213-1orya.html|accessdate=26 August 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 December 2011}} In a speech condemning profiteering by union officials, McClelland said that "I know the Prime Minister is quite familiar with this area of the law; as lawyers in the mid-1990s, we were involved in a matter representing opposing clients" and that this had coloured his thinking on legal reforms. McClelland had worked for Ian Cambridge, the former AWU national secretary who had investigated the allegations.Lewis, Steve. (22 August 2012). "[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/dumped-labor-minister-lit-fuse-in-parliament/story-e6freuzi-1226456133419 Dumped Labor minister lit fuse in Parliament]". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 December 2012.

On 23 August 2012, Gillard conducted a surprise and lengthy press conference at which she addressed the allegations in depth for the first time.{{cite news|last=Wright|first=Jessica|title=PM claims she's victim of 'very sexist smear campaign'|url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/pm-claims-shes-victim-of-very-sexist-smear-campaign-20120823-24o31.html|accessdate=26 August 2012|newspaper=The Age|date=23 August 2012}}{{cite news|last=Maher|first=Sid|title=Julia Gillard declares file closed on union scandal allegations|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/julia-gillard-declares-file-closed-on-union-scandal-allegations/story-fn59niix-1226457045231|accessdate=26 August 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=24 August 2012}} She restated her innocence of any wrongdoing, and claimed that she was the victim of a sexist online smear campaign. Gillard confirmed her 1995 statement that her understanding of the purpose of the association was that it was a re-election fund for union officials. She also expressed regret that she had neglected to open a file on the case at Slater & Gordon.

In November 2012, The Australian reported that Ian Cambridge recorded in his diary in 1996 that Wayne Hem claimed that Wilson had given him approximately $5,000 in cash after Wilson had spent a night at a casino, and instructed him to deposit the amount into Julia Gillard's bank account.{{cite news|title=Whistleblower Wayne Hem alerted AWU's national secretary to $5000 payment to Julia Gillard|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/whistleblower-wayne-hem-alerted-awus-national-secretary-to-5000-payment-to-julia-gillard/story-fng5kxvh-1226516225346|accessdate=14 November 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=14 November 2012|author=Hedley Thomas|author2=Pia Akerman}} Hem could not confirm that the account was Julia Gillard's, nor was it known where the funds originated from or why they may have been deposited, and Gillard has stated that she has no memory of the deposit being made."[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/the-5000-question-claims-julia-gillards-ex-boyfriend-bruce-wilson-put-cash-into-her-account/story-fndo317g-1226516225113 The $5000 question – claims Julia Gillard's ex-boyfriend Bruce Wilson put cash into her account]" (14 November 2012), Herald Sun. Retrieved 14 November 2012Hudson, Phillip. (27 November 2012) "[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/julia-gillard-unleashes-fiery-attack-on-union-bagman-ralph-blewitt-calling-him-an-imbecile-and-a-sexist-pig/story-e6frf7kx-1226524528685 Julia Gillard unleashes fiery attack on union 'bagman' Ralph Blewitt, calling him an imbecile and a 'sexist pig']", Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 November 2012.

Ralph Blewitt returned to Australia in November 2012 to make a statement to Victoria Police about his role in the alleged fraud. He conducted a series of media interviews and described Wilson as the slush fund mastermind.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3642322.htm|title = Alleged slush fund mastermind speaks on AWU scandal| website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date = 27 November 2012}} Blewitt provided statements and a number of files to police in regard to the events in return for immunity from prosecution.Akerman, Pia. (24 November 2012). "[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/blewitt-tells-police-of-awu-role/story-fng5kxvh-1226523121924 Blewitt tells police of AWU role]", The Australian. Retrieved 27 November 2012."[http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/blewitt-calls-on-wilson-to-release-files-20121126-2a3tk.html Blewitt calls on Wilson to release files]". (26 November 2012). The Australian. Retrieved 27 November 2012. Although the statements have not been released, Blewitt alleged that Gillard did not properly witness the signing of a legal power of attorney – an allegation denied by Gillard,"[http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-press-conference-36 Transcript of Press Conference] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131055817/http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-press-conference-36 |date=January 31, 2013 }}", () Press Office, Prime Minister of Australia. Retrieved 1 March 2013. "I did nothing wrong in the witnessing of this power of attorney." who also questioned Blewitt's credibility.Coorey, Phillip. (27 November 2012). "[http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/i-did-nothing-wrong-says-gillard-20121126-2a3na.html 'I did nothing wrong' says Gillard]". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 November 2012. Shortly before Gillard's statement, Bruce Wilson spoke to the press and denied that Julia Gillard had any knowledge about the alleged fraud.Lewis, Steve. (24 November 2012). "[http://www.perthnow.com.au/prime-minister-julia-gillards-former-boyfriend-bruce-wilson-breaks-his-silence/story-fnejq2rk-1226523580332 Prime Minister Julia Gillard's former boyfriend Bruce Wilson breaks his silence]". Sunday Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 November 2012.

The Federal Opposition devoted its questions for the final sitting week of Parliament of 2012 to the affair. Gillard pre-empted the questioning with a second press conference. During the conference she responded to some of the allegations, and attacked the credibility of the recently returned Blewitt, referring to him as a "self-confessed fraudster", a "stooge" and a "sexist pig".Cullen, Simon. (26 November 2012). "[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-26/gillard-fires-back-over-awu-claims/4392476 Furious Gillard fires back over AWU claims]", Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 November 2012. Asked in the Parliament by Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop whether she wrote to the WA Commissioner for Corporate Affairs to vouch for the bona fides of the AWU Workplace Reform Association, Gillard refused to answer – once saying only that "The claim has been made but no correspondence has ever been produced" and once saying that she would only answer if the Opposition Leader himself were prepared to ask it.Clarke, Melissa. (28 November 2012). "[http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3643333.htm Allegations over AWU slush fund continue]", Lateline, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 November 2012.Cullen, Simon. (29 November 2012). "[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-29/live-blog-parliament-final-day/4398072 As it happened: Bitter end to Parliament's year]". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 December 2012. Shadow attorney-general George Brandis alleged in the Senate that Gillard knew the association's funds would not be used for their stated purpose of "workplace reform", which he argued would be a breach of the Associations Incorporation Act (1987). The Consumer Protection Commissioner noted that the objectives of the association were "broad in nature and appear to cover a range of activities".

Following these exchanges, Nick Styant-Browne, released previously redacted sections of the transcript of Gillard’s Slater & Gordon interview, which confirmed Gillard had said she had written to the commission and "suggested that it wasn’t a trade union and argu[ed] the case for its incorporation".Skulley Mark; Freebairn, Pip. (29 November 2012). "[http://afr.com/p/national/gillard_cut_and_pasted_slush_fund_xeS8RbK8FfuaCQv1xWccbJ Gillard ‘cut and pasted’ slush fund rules]". Financial Review. Retrieved 30 November 2012. The Opposition called on Gillard to resign, a call rejected by Gillard who emphasized that the text of the transcript said she had said the association "wasn't a trade union" (which she said was factually accurate). The original letter had not been located. The Opposition concluded the week with a call for a judicial inquiry.

In January 2013, the Australian Financial Review reported that, in October 2012, journalist Michael Smith sent police a formal complaint alleging that Gillard had created a "false document", a power of attorney, that had enabled the house in Fitzroy to be purchased in 1993 with money from the union "slush" fund.Collier, Grace. (30 January 2013). "[http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/claims_about_pm_refuse_to_die_down_tjANfUYk7V8rxDIbvBb5LP Claims about PM refuse to die down]", Financial Review. Retrieved 28 February 2013.

{{main|Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption}}

The Abbott government called a Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption in 2014. Commissioner Dyson Heydon handed an Interim Report to Governor General on 15 December 2014 which included an examination of the AWU affair.[http://www.tradeunionroyalcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811022708/http://www.tradeunionroyalcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx |date=2015-08-11 }}; Homepage; checked 18 August 2015 Upon release of the Interim Report, The Age reported that: "Justice Heydon identified key concerns about the use and operation of union election slush funds. They include that they operate largely in secret, have deficient or non-existent record-keeping and that candidates commonly plead ignorance on how money is raised and spent. The report also recommended fraud charges be considered against former Australian Workers Union officials Bruce Wilson and Ralph Blewitt for their use of a secret slush fund in the 1990s. Mr Wilson was the ex-boyfriend of former prime minister Julia Gillard. Justice Heydon said there were no grounds for prosecuting Ms Gillard, but agreed with counsel assisting Jeremy Stoljar's submission, that her conduct as a solicitor had been 'questionable'. Ms Gillard had done legal work setting up the slush fund for Mr Wilson and Mr Blewitt."[http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/royal-commission-takes-aim-at-cfmeu-recommends-charges-against-senior-officials-20141219-12awyp.html#ixzz3j8VQUH4s Royal commission takes aim at CFMEU, recommends charges against senior officials]; The Age; 19 December 2014

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120828035057/http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-press-conference-canberra-30 Transcript of press conference, Canberra] (23 August 2012) Press Office, Prime Minister of Australia.

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Category:Controversies in Australia

Category:Criticism of trade unions

Category:Australian labour movement