Tony Abbott says trade union inquiry will continue with or without Heydon
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Version 0 of 1. Related: Dyson Heydon says he will declare his trade union inquiry future on Friday Dyson Heydon is set to reveal whether or not he will continue in his role as royal commissioner inquiring into trade union corruption. But even if he does go on Monday, unions still want the commission shut down. The ACTU, CFMEU and AWU are all trying to have Heydon disqualify himself over perceived bias, after he accepted an invitation to speak at a Liberal party event. The former high court judge has admitted he “overlooked” the political connection of the Sir Garfield Barwick address – which should have been held on 26 August – and has spent more than a week deliberating about his future. On Friday unions made further submissions after it was revealed the counsel assisting, Jeremy Stoljar, spoke to Heydon about the function before he agreed to withdraw, making notes in his diary. The conversation was prompted by an email from the publications manager of the New South Wales Bar Association, Chris Winslow. Related: Dyson Heydon 'overlooked' link between event organisers and Liberals “Is Dyson Heydon aware that the Garfield Barwick Address, which he is due to deliver, is a Liberal party fundraiser?” Winslow asked Stoljar on the evening of 12 August. The secretary of the ACTU, Dave Oliver, believes Stoljar’s behaviour is also “questionable” after he failed to provide emails and a diary note. “Some serious questions need to be asked about Jeremy Stoljar’s behaviour in this,” Oliver told ABC TV on Sunday. Instead of providing all correspondence when the unions asked during earlier hearings he “chose to stay mum”, Oliver said. Related: What would an ordinary hypothetical person think of Dyson Heydon? | Richard Ackland Regardless of whether Heydon disqualifies himself, Oliver wants the whole commission to end immediately. “It should be shut down.” The prime minister, Tony Abbott, has insisted the inquiry will continue, with or without Heydon, who he has strongly backed. Liberal frontbencher Mathias Cormann wasn’t prepared to offer public advice to Heydon on what decision he should take. “But that doesn’t mean in anyway, shape or form that I have got any concerns in relation to Commissioner Heydon, not at all,” he told Sky News. |