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Bruce Wilson asked about workplace safety scheme described as slush fund Bruce Wilson asked about workplace safety scheme described as slush fund
(2 months later)
Bruce Wilson, ex-boyfriend of the former prime minister Julia Gillard, has been confronted with a denial from beyond the grave by the man he says was central to a purported workplace safety scheme that has been described as a corrupt union slush fund.Bruce Wilson, ex-boyfriend of the former prime minister Julia Gillard, has been confronted with a denial from beyond the grave by the man he says was central to a purported workplace safety scheme that has been described as a corrupt union slush fund.
Wilson told the royal commission into trade union governance and corruption on Thursday that the late Glen Ivory had been appointed as training officer on a West Australian building site on behalf of the Workplace Reform Association (WRA), an organisation he set up with the assistance of Gillard, his then-girlfriend and a union lawyer.Wilson told the royal commission into trade union governance and corruption on Thursday that the late Glen Ivory had been appointed as training officer on a West Australian building site on behalf of the Workplace Reform Association (WRA), an organisation he set up with the assistance of Gillard, his then-girlfriend and a union lawyer.
However, Wilson was presented with a statement, made by Ivory before his death, in which the one-time president of the WA branch of the Australian Workers' Union said no training officer was ever appointed and he was never aware of around $2,000 a week billed to construction firm Thiess to pay for the role.However, Wilson was presented with a statement, made by Ivory before his death, in which the one-time president of the WA branch of the Australian Workers' Union said no training officer was ever appointed and he was never aware of around $2,000 a week billed to construction firm Thiess to pay for the role.
Ivory died in 2004 but, in a statement to West Australian police in 1997, he said the union had never authorised establishing the WRA or opening bank accounts in its name.Ivory died in 2004 but, in a statement to West Australian police in 1997, he said the union had never authorised establishing the WRA or opening bank accounts in its name.
Counsel assisting the commission, Jeremy Stoljar SC, asked Wilson if his evidence that Ivory was the training officer, was false.Counsel assisting the commission, Jeremy Stoljar SC, asked Wilson if his evidence that Ivory was the training officer, was false.
Wilson denied that and questioned Ivory's statement.Wilson denied that and questioned Ivory's statement.
"I would like to know who prepared this statement for Ivory because it wasn't him," Wilson said."I would like to know who prepared this statement for Ivory because it wasn't him," Wilson said.
Stoljar said: "There seem to be a long list of people, according to you, who are not telling the truth. You have used the name of the late Mr Ivory knowing that he's no longer with us and can't defend himself, is that right?”Stoljar said: "There seem to be a long list of people, according to you, who are not telling the truth. You have used the name of the late Mr Ivory knowing that he's no longer with us and can't defend himself, is that right?”
Wilson replied: "Not at all. In fact I wish he was."Wilson replied: "Not at all. In fact I wish he was."
Earlier the commission heard that Wilson, who gave his occupation as "cook", was aware no work had been done by the WRA during most of 1992 and all of 1994, despite Thiess paying for the training officer role. Earlier the commission heard that Wilson, who gave his occupation as "cook", was aware no work had been done by the WRA during most of 1992 and all of 1994, despite Thiess paying for the training officer role.
The commission heard earlier that money paid to the WRA was put into secret accounts and Wilson's friend and colleague, Ralph Blewitt, withdrew large sums of cash which were passed on to Wilson.The commission heard earlier that money paid to the WRA was put into secret accounts and Wilson's friend and colleague, Ralph Blewitt, withdrew large sums of cash which were passed on to Wilson.