Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson says she has discussed the dramas surrounding the Health Services Union with her partner, the deputy president of Fair Work Australia, Michael Lawler.
Independent MP Craig Thomson made an hour-long statement to federal parliament on Monday about allegations made against him in a Fair Work Australia investigation report.
Mr Thomson criticised Ms Jackson, his successor as HSU national secretary, accusing her of benefiting from union perks.
Ms Jackson said she “obviously” talked with Mr Lawler about what she was doing.
“As my partner, I talk to him about not just HSU issues but other issues as well,” she told ABC television on Monday.
She said it was “appropriate” for her to discuss the dramas associated with the HSU.
“I ask him for advice and assistance, but he is not running the case of the HSU,” she said.
“I tell him what I am doing and not the other way around.”
Mr Thomson’s attack on Ms Jackson came as part of a wide-ranging broadside against Fair Work Australia, the media and former HSU colleagues as he defended himself against claims he misused union funds.
He said there were questions to be asked about Mr Lawler’s role in the Fair Work Australia investigation of allegations against him.
Ms Jackson said Mr Thomson’s accusations against her partner were “totally wicked”.
She also rejected the claims by Mr Thomson that there was a conspiracy against him within the HSU.
“I find that quite offensive that even now Craig Thomson is coming out with this smear campaign against me,” she said.
Earlier on Monday, Ms Jackson said she wanted the opportunity to reply in parliament to the allegations levelled against her by embattled Labor MP Craig Thomson.
“I will definitely be seeking that I have a right of reply,” she told reporters in Sydney.
“He’s made some scandalous allegations against me and my partner and other people at the HSU, and I’ll be seeking a right of reply in parliament.”
She said she would make her parliamentary reply whenever she was allowed to.
Ms Jackson said she had not benefited from union perks, describing the claim as another “delusion” of Mr Thomson.
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