Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Originally, the Australian people were told that the Australian Workers Union slush fund of the early 1990s was simple a one-off. But, in her exit interview with Slater and Gordon, the former leader of those opposite disclosed that slush funds were a common occurrence within the trade union movement. Then there was a degree of dissembling about that, suggesting that is not actually what was meant. But now we know, courtesy of recent revelations, that the Transport Workers Union had a similar fund, and the ETU, the CFMEU, the MUA, CEPU—and so the list goes on. It is quite clear that Ms Gillard, in her exit statement from Slater and Gordon, stated the truth, that these slush funds are endemic. They are a rip-off and workers are entitled to be protected from this sort of endemic culture of illegality and funny money. (Time expired)