http://www.smh.com.au/national/systemic-organised-fraud-20110909-1k21d.html
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/australian-workers-union-funds-paid-bill-ludwigs-bills/story-e6freon6-1226130911928

The latest revelations in the Thomson saga are by the far the most serious, and involve the fraudulent pillaging of union funds by Thomson and Williamson.

The question we must all ask is whether Julia Gillard still has full confidence in her MP, or even whether she had prior knowledge of this corruption.

what...
no defence of the indefensable

heck only a few days ago
it was he wasnt charged

unlike that 'other' one..
who is in court

did the cae begin..before the labour party left power
or are the labour installed police still in power in nsw

two faces of the same coin
if your needed your innocent

if your in power your god

bah
its the same regardless of which party is in
the same old scam

like the labratter scam..called all conex
[where state govt SEIZED control of all water
and now the gold coast want it back..it HAS to pay stamp duty
to disband the all connects quango

60 MILLION
to 200 million
just to dismantle

and who pays for this quango
the voters..of the gold coast

those running the 2 partysystem are just too clever by half

silence in the room?

how about the 80 million for horseracing?
the 500 million EACH..from state lab..and fed libs?
to their gladstone mates?..to build a magnesium plant that never got built..!

the system is corrupt
how about the law report on abc today
brilliant stuff..[but the sheeple of the 2 party machine..do they care..of course not]

lets end the silence
talk..or worse will be hapening

come on
defend the indefensable

how many civil service members sit on private boards
[with platnum credit cards..living on fine wine and the public tic

why is media silent..
juliars threats to murdoche worked?

do..you agree
that those in power can do ANYTHING?

and police see nuthing?
media says nothing?

are we that tired?

SM, what is left to say about the endless Labor intrigues that ALL stem from individual moral corruption? Corruption fuelled by Labor State Party fiefdoms run by a Fabian elite. But just to placate the word count here are some apt descriptives:

Worst drought in a century;

Running on empty;

Lights are on but no one is at home;

Do what I say, not what I do;

People don't know what is good for them;

There were no survivors;

You don't go far on a lame horse;

Give them nothing, they don't vote for us anyway;

Throw the baby out with the bath water;

I represent my members;

I represent my constituents;

Every man (and woman) for themselves;

It's a train wreck;

It’s a land rush;

There will be no Carbon Tax under the government I lead;

There will be no competent administration under the government I lead;

Re the HSU, their membership comprises a large segment of new Australians, easy to exploit, not into making waves, and bottom of the income food chain. But never the less the proud investors in one of the most expensive to produce union gazettes in the history of mankind, the printing company in return expressed its gratitude by supplying a credit card to the paid HSU representative, a good deal for some.

The paid advocates the HSU in their tireless quest to represent their members (and I do not mean “member” as is used by some to describe their own male genitalia) have managed to secure their brothers and sisters the lowest legal pay rate possible from the private convalescent and nursing facility operators, What a union. I can only wonder if credit cards and other BENEFITS flowed from these businesses to the paid delegates of the minimum wage $15 per hour membership.

OUG, in the colloquial the place is fooked.

The question I have is;

Where the b@#$dy hell were the auditors ?

Don't unions have to get their annual reports audited ?

bazz a[pparently..as nsw police said
if the auditers have signed off
there is no crime

thus we can sign off
because the crime affectivly has been cleansed

that fair work..dept joke
will have the same findings
after looking at the matter for 2 years
its still...'i see nothing'

those in absolute power
have corrupted the system absolutly

too damm clever by half
there are laws of collusion to decieve
and l;aws of treason..and many other laws

but the police police policy
over the poor citisenry..for fun-draising and state derision

thanks to the police union
being..lol a union

too clever by half
but what else can the people do
complain..to who?...lol..aint they all
*just too clever by half

and this matter is nothing
compared to what the corperates
and the back door public service ]
that ruuns the two party patsie's..are allowed to do

NEVER forget..that
*scum...rises to the top

I will throw another can of petrol on this fire.
And in truth a few union officials I have known, all my life, from my youth to now.
Well get back, a few are kicking but its on the bon fire they go.
Now know this.
Conservatives, rightly so, and I thank them for it, demand no protection for ANYONE REMOTELY linked to Labor.
Labor, desperately clinging to power, on behalf of every AUSTRALIAN fear stricken-ed with fear, by a Abbott team in power, wait before pasting these fleas .
However Conservatives are outstanding defenders! of their teams members/wrongs.
Watch every time charges come up the white wash come in tankers.
See the back door retreats from Parliament, note the new jobs as industry union leaders they find.
Yes thanks Shadow Minister.
My regards/thanks/ admiration for your insistence on unmasking the FILTH! within my party/union movement.
My Friend, if only!
If only you showed the same intense concerns about the wrongs, daily lies, on your side of the fence, I would fall at your feet demanding no one but you lead my country!

Belly,

The moment that we conservatives point out the graft and corruption that is endemic in the union movement and the labor party, the answer always comes back that the opposition is just as bad.

The only problem with this argument is that no one from the Labor supporters is able to come up with anything other than minor transgressions, compared to the systemic and organised fraud from Labor MPs.

It Shadow Minister is true, on first glance you are not a person I can find much to like about.
I have rarely said that about any one.
I do, honestly see Christopher Pyne in you.
Also both Both Bishops.
Not Abbott, true, no barbs, you are bright he is not.
Have you glanced ever at my Post history?
Just yesterday in a far away rego office a bloke clutched my hand, still do not know who he was.
I was his union official, he was proud to see me, not as you suspect a every day thing, for union officials
Today, one turned up to say Gday.
See I stood firm, lost mates, against filth in union shirts for 42 years.
I despise union/Labor grubs/criminals.
You, have told me here, you are a project manager, Shadow Minister tell me, have you ever had to straighten out your team.
For hiring and firing based on who pays the biggest gifts.
Construction today has more criminals than long bay prison.
And few honest men.
It is cowardly to find faults, true ones, on my side of the fence, and hide those on your side.
Abbott speaks in the back ground, your support for this showman this snake oil salesman is descriptive.

Belly,

You forget that Abbott is a Rhodes scholar, and that all his tactics have worked against what some respected commentators have predicted. As for snake oil salesman, Juliar is delivering to the voters mostly what she promised not to, and has the morals of an alley cat.

As for projects, it was well known in NSW that in order to get a project approved a "donation" to an MP's election kitty was required, and lobbyists essentially acted as the middle men.

Considering that many Labor MPs are ex trade union thugs what else could you expect. That you yourself never rose to the top, is probably due to your reluctance to be morally ambiguous.

If you and I are for sake of debate seen as football fans here is how I see us.
You, a bit like the New Zealand Minister for bad manners the other night.
Scream abuse at my side, even if yours is not playing us.
You contend the ref is wrong lines man, anyone but one of yours.
My record, here and in real life via my football team.
Shows me highlighting our dropped balls our duds.
Monday morning I cop it on the chin, say openly we played awful!
You never see faults in your team.
Have you any understanding? do you even consider? to love your team right or wrong says out loud improvements is unneeded?
SM who do you think your denial is fooling, besides you?

Belly,

If you can find anything done by a coalition MP that approaches what Thomson and Williamson have perpetrated, then I will acknowledge that both sides are equal, until then what I see is that Labor has pretty much cornered the market on corruption and sheer criminality.

Here we go again,

http://www.smh.com.au/national/paramedics-attack-deal-linked-to-union-boss-20110913-1k7wp.html

This would make corrupt leaders like Robert Mugabe feel at home.

little bits the media dosnt reveal
keep dripping from their poluted orrifices

the latest explains why the police 'saw nothing'
to wit the police found that the card WASNT used by others
[ie the unionist who owns the card USED the card..but media cant explain that..!

it simply reports the facts
then lets us speculate ans GUESS
im noting that the dkkkhead even said he would be speaking
[that helped to make him look innocent...lol]

now at question time one of the questions was will he strill be talking..and no reply is forthcomming..[ie no he wont be]

cause HE knows
and they KNOW
and the media KNOWS

but no one is HIGHLIGHTING it for you
there was NO fraud..thus HE LIED ABOUT THAT..![too]

the dkkkhead with his smug face
is a labratting party discrace
[ya really think juliar dont know it?]

the two patrties are as bad as each other
easch got todays talking points

this ammounts to official malfeasance..or treason
or collusion to decieve..in short hang the blooming lot of em
out to dry

but no the too clever by half juliar
has muzzeled the media..with he inquiry into media
its just too blooming clever..

we Really need a media that REVEALS the facts
those in power NEED to hide...

its not WHO owns things..
BUT who didnt do their job PROPERLY

ohh poooop
here comes bob brown interupting again

the cover up
just keeps revealing EVER MORE vile

tonights news cant cover it all
between the union now dumping its assosiations with alp

to the computers in nsw/vic going 'down'..[compromised]
see lateline

the mention of major labratter
faceless men..'figures'..DEEPLY involved

and juliar..trying hard
to get some new destractions going

faux prom,ise...lol..'to NOW..offer to listen to the membership'....[then caucus saying she could begin with listening to them]

the whole thing not only stinks
it tastes like muck...smell like fuc
and then there is tim
growing testicular muscles
saying the poor girl..stop picking on the leader..

the frail flower
poor petal

what has happend to the respect due to ju[liar]
she has squnderd it all...[the real juliar..there is no such thing]

the lies are piling up
the complicity and conspiricy
then 2 years that smart choices [work choices]..
work cover..a govt quango investingation unit..has hushed it up

the failed nsw police investigation
[i see nuthing]

hey the silence is deafening
at least she got her new carbon tax subsidy
for the eu [pew]..through...how about we let that go to a conscieinous vote

oh forgot
they got no conscience

lol

where the rebuttal
from the lab bloggers?

defending the indefensable liar
and her party of mugs//[patisies..spouting
pr spin and proper gander]...cant you see whats being coverd over ?

major collusion to decieve
defraud voters..with lies

Unions have been in need of an overhaul for some time. It will take leaders like Kathy Jackson to stand up to union bullies and intimidation to ensure unions are accountable to their members. One does wonder as Bazz asks what about the auditors?

However, corruption and the imbalance of influence on governments from the corporate sector makes union fraud pale by comparison

Pelican,

Very courageous statement:

"However, corruption and the imbalance of influence on governments from the corporate sector makes union fraud pale by comparison"

Have you anything to back this up, or is this just hot air?

ohhh shadow
how short your memory

recall the securities rated AAA plus
that wernt even junk bond status

or how about bernie madeoff with all that cash
or the latest securities trader fraud only 2.3 billion

how about the enron copllapse overnight
where they made up the numbers..[that has left us with timed internet
and semi privatised services]

how about johnhoward gifting half a billion to build a magnesium plant in gladstone..[yeah peter beatup gave half a billion too]

how about the desal plant subsidy
or the tunnel building exclusivity franchise

heck mate dont play dumb

the list of oficial malfeasence and corperate fraud..is huge
and i havnt even coverd fraking/dupont..or gmo
and the hundreds of other corperate frauds
often condoned by corperate govt stooges

privatisation of the federal reserve
gifted to the bankers via only 44.4 billion of govt bonds
bankers bought up wholesale..then demanded instant repayment

if only then govt was wise enough to print money to pay the bankers[lol] moneTORY easing..quantitive easing..inflation ..over valuation out and out insider trading

hih..alan bond...the digetal divide
gifting spectrum to media intrests

giving away state forrests
..state debt...giving away public moneies
big pharma..big petro subsidies..mining leases
water buy back...buy back of logging leases..granting leases in the first place

you really arnt looking..mate
there is no one..with money what got clean hands

SM
Have I got anything to back this up? You must be kidding - have you been living in a cave. Corporate fraud is at an all-time high.
Here are just a few examples:

- price fixing:

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/863067
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-10-16/pratt-apologises-over-price-fixing-cartel/700444

-OneTel
- Enron
- Madoff
- Outsourcing the war in Iraq: the fraud is estimated to be in the billions of dollars including the famous repainting and badging of Iraqi airport equipment passed off as new purchase costs paid for by US taxpayers. Much still to be answered about tendering processes including transparency, failing to publicise widely to invite opposing offers.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_31/b3995075.htm

- the numerous cases of environmental damage from mining and energy companies including the latest debate on fraccing and coal seam gas; in particular the lack of rights for landowners all approved and supported by governments. This sort of influence is out of balance compared to ordinary people ie. the voters.

- Wollongong Council and others in regard to bribes for property development applications.

The list is endless - make google your friend - there are numerous examples of corporate fraud mate. If you stick your head in the sand over corporate fraud because you are too busy demonising unions and anything with an ALP association you miss other equally as important wrongdoings.

I am not surprised you are not interested in a bipartisan approach on tese matters.

Pelican,

Your statement wasn't about corporate fraud directly but:

"However, corruption and the imbalance of influence on governments from the corporate sector makes union fraud pale by comparison"

None of your links support this.

While there is bribery and corruption, there seems to be an overwhelming preponderance of elected labor officials involved. The corruption in Wollongong was with a few crooked Labor councillors selling approvals.

SM
The Wollongong example was a Labor Council. I am not playing favourites that is your game.

What is the lack of transparent tendering processes in the outsourcing of war in Iraq/Afghanistan not to do with influence on governments.

I am talking about corporate fraud, much of it overlooked by governments either overtly or by failure in a suitable regulatory regime. I should have made this clearer. My point being that unions are not the only organisations capable of gross corruption and mismangement.

Pelican,

That might be what you meant, but not what you said.

The unions are the foundation of the Labor party and from what I can see, are disproportionately corrupt compared to the corporate world. Businesses are required to be audited, and if they are corrupt, they get caught out. The proportion of business that are corrupt is very small, and very few as corrupt as the HSU.

The issue is that both of the most corrupt individuals from the HSU hold senior rank in the Labor party. If they were in business they would both now be in jail, and even Juliar Gillard has been associated with a corrupt union official.

SM
You don't even like it when someone agrees with you about union accountability.

This is exactly what I said.

"However, corruption and the imbalance of influence on governments from the corporate sector makes union fraud pale by comparison"

What is not clear about arguing that corruption is not systemic in the corporate world. Not all corporations just as not all unions. Corporations have done far more damage overall especially in the developing world where there is little or no governance.

And as to the second part are you seriously suggesting that ordinary folk have as much influence on governments as large corps? My whole premise is that instead of political representatives concentrating on their constituents they are too busy being career politicians.

Your flaw is only seeing what you want and pushing a biased agenda. Bias is fine, we are all biased but when you become blind to faults in your own side then then what is it you want from your governments?

You will just get more of the same just a different government who doesn't listen to the electorate. This is not the same as selecting football teams - there is much more at stake.

I am yet to see the LNP or the ALP offering up referendums at national elections to ensure legitimate mandates rather than living vicariously off Clayton's mandates assumed just by the general election process.

Fraud is fraud and it is no different be it stemming from corporations or from unions particularly if aided and abeted by governments lack of willingness (fear) to implement better auditing requirements.

Pelican,

Due to the lack of accountability, corruption in unions is far more prevalent than in businesses. The construction industry is a prime example.

SM
I am not disagreeing that unions need to be more transparent and get back to their roots. Long time overdue for sure.

However, to insist unions are in any way worse, or that business has all the accountability regimes that it needs is looking through rose coloured glasses. Who is paying these councillors for positive development applications? It is business. You mentioned construction. Construction businesses have also got into bed with unions, often to the detriment of union members as you state, particularly in the days of the BLF before a Labor PM deregistered the union.

Just trail through the ACCC, ASIC and FWA cases to see how often business get caught doing the wrong thing.

I merely point this out so as to balance your very one-sided view of the world.

Pelican, there are over 2000 000 businesses in Australia, the vast majority of which have very strict accounting and anti corruption procedures in place. There are less than 100 unions most of whom have very slack accounting and accountability practices in place.

Corruption flourishes because it can and it is not punished. The issues in the HSU came to light years ago, and has been covered up by the union bosses and the labor party.

As for the Wollongong council, they were directly soliciting "donations" and given the cost of waiting for years for approval due to council incompetence, the cost of not "donating" is huge.