The Minister for Employment & Workplace Relations has welcomed today’s Federal Court decision to appoint an administrator to the HSU East Branch of the Health Services Union (HSU) and the NSW registered HSUeast.

 “In April this year on behalf of the Government I intervened in Federal Court proceedings concerning the HSU and made an application for an administrator to be appointed to the HSU East Branch.  This was supported by the National Office of the HSU, the ACTU, UnionsNSW and other branches of the HSU,” Mr Shorten said.

 “The unprecedented intervention was motivated by concern that the interests of HSU East members across Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT were not being properly served by the current dysfunction within the HSU East Branch.”

 “In intervening in this case, we noted the public interest in working Australians having effective and accountable union representation, and that because Australia’s trade unions are overwhelmingly democratic and highly effective organisations, the need for such intervention is extremely rare.”

 The Federal Court has today agreed with the Minster’s submissions, including that both the HSU East Branch and HSUeast were dysfunctional, approved the Minister’s nominated Administrator, the Hon Michael Moore, and adopted the key elements of the scheme originally proposed by the Minister.

 As a result of today’s decision, all elected officials will vacate their offices within the HSU East Branch and HSUeast. 

 “Under Mr Moore’s administration, I am confident the process of building effectively functioning Branches of the HSU, which focus on the real task of responsibly serving HSU members will be successful,” Mr Shorten said.

 “The Administrator will co-operate with investigations currently underway, and will also implement internal policies to improve governance and to ensure accountability to members.”

 “I am advised the Administrator will also facilitate fresh elections as soon as practicable”.

 Mr Shorten’s Media Contact: Sam Casey 0421 697 660