Union corruption findings: Daniel Andrews must expel Cesar Melhem

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Robert Clark

The facts:

The Trade Union Royal Commission has referred Labor MP Cesar Melhem to the Victorian Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to face possible charges relating to:

• corrupt commission offences, and
• false accounting.

TURC also recommended the Fair Work Commission consider proceedings against Mr Melhem on allegations he breached his duties as an officer from his time as union leader.

Source:  TURC final report Appendix 2- Referrals, section 35

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Robert Clark:

This damning report shows why Daniel Andrews must expel Cesar Melhem from the Labor Party.

For too long, Daniel Andrews has stuck his head in the sand.  He has said he wanted to wait until the Commission has done its work.  Now the Commission has done its work it is time for Mr Andrews to act.

Daniel Andrews needs to show whose side he is on – ordinary workers or rorting union officials.

If Daniel Andrews fails to throw Cesar Melhem out of the Labor Party, it will just confirm that the culture of rorting and abuse of office in the union movement the Victorian Labor Party is condoned and protected at the highest levels, including by Victoria’s Premier.

Media contact:  John Deller  0400 496 596   john.deller@opposition.vic.gov.au