In the Australian today the chronology of the unfolding AWU saga is laid out:
EARLY AUGUST 1995 - exposure of dodgy union bank accounts in Victoria leads to investigations by AWU leaders Ian Cambridge and Bill Ludgwig.
The AWU Workplace Reform Ass in WA (the "slush fund" as Gillard called it) is a secret, known to Gillard, Blewitt and Wilson.
MID AUGUST 95 - Wilson and Blewitt abruptly leave the union. Their rushed redundancy cheques are opposed by Cambridge and Ludgwig.
Nothing is said about the "slush fund". Slater and Gordon sever legal ties with Wilson and Blewitt and cease acting for AWU. "Slush fund" still a secret.
SEPTEMBER 95 Alleged fraudulent behaviour has been reported to S & G and Gillard is questioned in a tape recorded interview. She is asked about the "slush fund", WIlson, Blewitt, the Fitzroy house and renovations to her own home.
Gillard leaves S& G. The "slush fund is now known to S & G. NEITHER GILLARD OR THE FIRM TELL AWU ABOUT THE FUND so it is still unaware of anything.
LATE SEPTEMBER 95 - National leadership of AWU asks VIctorian major fraud squad to investigate. THE INVESTIGATION STARTS. Both police and AWU are still unaware of the "slush fund".
JANUARAY 96 - Ian Cambridge (nat AWU head) asks federal Labor Minister for a royal commission into other fraud concerns in Victoria.
FEBRUARY 96 - Fitzroy House is sold. It had been bought with $100,000 from the fund and a mortgage from S & G. Wilson and Blewitt pocket the proceeds.
THE AWU and police STILL do not know about the "slush fund".
APRIL 96 - FOR THE FIRST TIME THE AWU LEADERSHIP LEARN ABOUT THE FUND. A WA Commonwealth Bank account is discovered in the name of the AWU Workplace Reform Association.
JUNE 96 - Gillard in new job as chief of staff to Vic opposition leader.
SEPTEMBER 96 - Cambridge and other AWU officials demand fraud probe by Perth police. Wilson and Blewitt refuse to co-operate. Construction company Thiess (that gave huge sums to the fund) refuses to make a formal complaint.
NOTE - At some stage S & G acted for Blewitt in a defamation case. I am not sure of the details of this but I thought Gillard was involved.
