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Julia Gillard's house: union man says he was offered money for statements Julia Gillard's house: union man says he was offered money for statements
(2 months later)
A former Australian Workers Union official has claimed that he was offered financial assistance in return for giving statements about Julia Gillard and renovations made to her house.A former Australian Workers Union official has claimed that he was offered financial assistance in return for giving statements about Julia Gillard and renovations made to her house.
The AWU is the focus of the royal commission into trade union governance and corruption, which recommenced hearings on Tuesday.The AWU is the focus of the royal commission into trade union governance and corruption, which recommenced hearings on Tuesday.
In a statement lodged with the commission and obtained by the ABC, former AWU official Bruce Wilson said he was approached by Harry Nowicki, a Melbourne lawyer who is writing a book about the AWU, to discuss his time at the union.In a statement lodged with the commission and obtained by the ABC, former AWU official Bruce Wilson said he was approached by Harry Nowicki, a Melbourne lawyer who is writing a book about the AWU, to discuss his time at the union.
Wilson said he met Nowicki, who offered him financial assistance and legal advice. He said in his statement: “Nowicki told me that he was writing a book about the AWU and asked if we would be prepared to meet him.Wilson said he met Nowicki, who offered him financial assistance and legal advice. He said in his statement: “Nowicki told me that he was writing a book about the AWU and asked if we would be prepared to meet him.
“Nowicki showed me a number of documents … Nowicki started asking me about Gillard’s renovations and [AWU national president Bill] Ludwig. I did not tell him anything apart from to scoff at him. Nowicki said he wanted me to come to Melbourne. “Nowicki showed me a number of documents … Nowicki started asking me about Gillard’s renovations and [AWU national president Bill] Ludwig. I did not tell him anything apart from to scoff at him. Nowicki said he wanted me to come to Melbourne.
“Nowicki told me he could offer financial assistance and legal advice. He did not mention an amount. Nowicki said that he would pick up the bill for the whole time I was in Melbourne.”“Nowicki told me he could offer financial assistance and legal advice. He did not mention an amount. Nowicki said that he would pick up the bill for the whole time I was in Melbourne.”
The statement said Nowicki later wrote a letter dated 2 May 2012 in which he offered Wison money to assist him in writing his book.The statement said Nowicki later wrote a letter dated 2 May 2012 in which he offered Wison money to assist him in writing his book.
At a subsequent meeting with Nowicki and an unnamed QC in Nelson Bay, NSW, Wilson’s statement said the QC told him: “We could look after you.There are a number of benefactors prepared to support you. They could set up a trust account.” He said that Nowicki then mentioned a figure of $200,000.At a subsequent meeting with Nowicki and an unnamed QC in Nelson Bay, NSW, Wilson’s statement said the QC told him: “We could look after you.There are a number of benefactors prepared to support you. They could set up a trust account.” He said that Nowicki then mentioned a figure of $200,000.
Nowicki strongly denied the claims and told the ABC: “Bruce Wilson has made this up.”Nowicki strongly denied the claims and told the ABC: “Bruce Wilson has made this up.”
Wilson is expected to appear at the commission later in the week.Wilson is expected to appear at the commission later in the week.
The commission heard in May from another former official, Ralph Blewitt, that false invoices were sent to a construction company for services that were never intended to be provided. He claimed the money was channelled into the union’s Workplace Reform Association.The commission heard in May from another former official, Ralph Blewitt, that false invoices were sent to a construction company for services that were never intended to be provided. He claimed the money was channelled into the union’s Workplace Reform Association.
But in his evidence Blewitt told the commission he did not write a statement he provided to the Victorian police in relation to events at the AWU.But in his evidence Blewitt told the commission he did not write a statement he provided to the Victorian police in relation to events at the AWU.
Questioned on the statement, Blewitt told the commission his statement was provided to him by Nowicki.Questioned on the statement, Blewitt told the commission his statement was provided to him by Nowicki.
“I didn’t write this statement, I didn’t type it,” he said. “I glanced at it.“I didn’t write this statement, I didn’t type it,” he said. “I glanced at it.
“I accepted it at face value from the person who provided it to me prior to attending the Victorian police.”“I accepted it at face value from the person who provided it to me prior to attending the Victorian police.”
Blewitt earlier told the commission that he and Nowicki “have gone through numerous documents that he has discovered in preparing his book”.Blewitt earlier told the commission that he and Nowicki “have gone through numerous documents that he has discovered in preparing his book”.