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hell is a vengeful gloating catholic...

hell

 

The targeting of the ex-wife of a national political leader by a $61 million royal commission will add weight to Labor claims that the inquiry is part of a "political witch-hunt"

It comes as one of the elders of the labour movement, Bill Kelty, offered a strong defence of Mr Shorten's record as a unionist.

To date the commission's focus on Mr Shorten - at least publicly - has been limited to industrial and political issues from his time as AWU leader. 

Inquiries about Ms Beale's finances take the commission's investigation into the personal realm, a development that has angered senior Labor and union figures who know about it.

Fairfax Media is aware that the probe of Ms Beale's finances has been discussed at senior levels in the labour movement.

Mr Shorten is under intense pressure over his time as leader of the AWU. Over the  past 10 days a Fairfax Media investigation has revealed deals including employers paying union dues and unexplained cash payments to the union, including from the builders of a major Melbourne road project.

Following the Fairfax reports Mr Shorten was called to appear before the royal commission. This week he asked for the hearings to be brought forward to allow him to address the questions raised by the Fairfax stories. His first appearance is now scheduled for July 8.

In response to questions about its interest in Ms Beale, a royal commission spokesman said all of the commission's inquiries "relate to matters within its terms of reference".

"However, the commission does not comment on whether or not specific lines of inquiry are being pursued."

Ms Beale comes from a wealthy Liberal family. Her father, Julian, was a federal parliamentarian for 12 years until 1996.

He was close to the late billionaire and cardboard tycoon Richard Pratt, an AWU employer and friend of Mr Shorten. The then AWU leader used Mr Pratt's private jet to travel to represent workers after the 2006 Beaconsfield mine disaster in Tasmania.

Mr Shorten and Ms Beale met while studying for their MBAs.They separated in 2008, after which Mr Shorten married Chloe Bryce, the daughter of former governor-general, Quentin Bryce.

 

read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/royal-commission-targets-shortens-exwife-20150619-ghsg8u.html

 

roasting marshmallows in hell...

 

The Prime Minister has moved to capitalise on Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's appearance before the royal commission into union corruption, claiming the Labor Party is in crisis over the hearings.

The Coalition Government set up the royal commission, acting on an election promise to probe the governance of the unions and corruption claims.

Mr Shorten has been called to give evidence about his time as the Victorian and federal boss of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) and has moved to fast-track his appearance, which is now set for July 8.

He today confirmed to the ABC that his ex-wife Deborah Beale had also been approached by the royal commission.

Fairfax reported Ms Beale was asked about some of her share dealings when she was married to Mr Shorten.

The ABC understands the commission has not asked her for any documents and she has not been called as a witness.

This is a very, very expensive witch hunt ... It's not about improving the efficacy of the way our workplace relations system works. It's all about trying to damage the reputation of Bill Shorten.

Labor frontbencher Matt Thistlethwaite

Labor MPs maintained the inquiry was a politically motivated attempt to tear down the Opposition Leader.

"This is a very, very expensive witch hunt. It's not about improving the safety of workers in particular industries," Labor frontbencher Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News.

 

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-20/pm-says-labor-in-crisis-over-royal-commission/6560828