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The AWU affair refers to allegations of embezzlement via a fund established for the AWU Workplace Reform Association in the early 1990s by Bruce Wilson and Ralph Blewitt, officials of the Australian Workers' Union (AWU). Wilson and Blewitt raised $400,000 from major construction companies, and have been accused of using the funds for personal benefit, including diverting funds for the purchase of a house in Fitzroy. Julia Gillard, who subsequently became Prime Minister of Australia, was a salaried partner at law firm Slater & Gordon who provided pro-bono legal services to Wilson, with whom she was romantically involved, for the establishment of the Association and for the purchase of the Fitzroy property. Gillard's conduct was the subject of an internal investigation by Slater and Gordon. After stating that she had no intention of leaving Slater & Gordon, Gillard left the firm prior to the conclusion of the investigation, and pursued a career in politics.〔"(Timeline: How the AWU affair unfolded )". (24 November 2012). ''The Australian''. Retrieved 28 February 2013.〕 The alleged misappropriation of funds and related activities have been the subject of police and media investigation. The AWU has not brought charges against Wilson or Blewitt. Ian Cambridge, the former AWU national secretary and current Fair Work Australia commissioner, who detected the alleged misuse of funds in the 1990s, called for a judicial inquiry into the affair.〔Freebairn, Pip; Skulley Mark. (29 November 2012)."(Coalition says PM broke the law )". ''Financial Review''. Retrieved 30 November 2012.〕 Although Blewitt has admitted his role in the matter, Wilson, and Gillard have denied any wrongdoing.〔"(Ex-union boss to fight fraud link )". (24 November 2012). ''The Australian''. Retrieved 20 December 2013.〕 The Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption investigated the matter and recommended that fraud charges be considered against Wilson and Blewitt, but that there were no grounds for prosecuting Ms Gillard, though her conduct as a solicitor had been "questionable".〔(Royal commission takes aim at CFMEU, recommends charges against senior officials ); The Age; 19 Dec 2014〕 ==Background== In 1992, the legal entity "AWU Workplace Reform Association" was established for Australian Workers' Union state secretary Bruce Wilson and Ralph Blewitt, without the knowledge of the national leaders of the AWU.〔 As part of the formal establishment process, the association was described as being formed for the purpose of "development of changes to work to achieve safe workplaces", and included in its objectives the aim to "support and assist union officials and union members."〔Probyn, Andrew. (30 November 2012). "(A poisonous end to the year )". ''The West Australian", Retrieved 31 November 2012.〕 In 1993, Wilson arranged the purchase of a house for Ralph Blewitt.〔 It is alleged that the house was part paid for by funds "drawn from accounts directly related to the AWU Workplace Reform Association", with the balance lent by Slater & Gordon.〔 A police investigation in 1995 and 1996 looked into the possible misappropriation of funds through the association,〔 and in 1996 Ian Cambridge, former national secretary of the AWU and currently a commissioner of Fair Work Australia, lodged an affidavit claiming that Wilson and Blewitt had extorted money from construction companies. A memo written in 1997 by WA police fraud squad Detective Sergeant David McAlpine stated that police suspected that the association was used by Wilson and Blewitt to allegedly fraudulently obtain over $400,000 from major construction companies.〔〔 At the time, a police investigation did not lead to any charges being laid, and the police decided not to take any further action.〔 However, after new evidence emerged during 2012, Victorian police reopened the investigation.〔(29 November 2012). "(Witnesses quizzed over AWU scandal )". ''News Limited Network''. Retrieved 18 February 2012.〕〔Baker, Mark. (24 January 2013). "(Police extend AWU slush fund inquiry )". ''The Age''. Retrieved 28 February 2013.〕 Slater & Gordon lost the AWU account over the affair. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「AWU affair」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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