The MSAV, VPA and AHP are component associations of the HSU Victoria Number 4 Branch. Our associations joined the HSU in the 1990s after the abolition by the Kennett government of the Victorian Industrial Relations Commission. These three Victorian unions (MSAV, VPA and AHP) formed the Victoria Number 4 Branch of the HSU, a federally registered Union, in order to be able to obtain federal awards and agreements via the federal Commission, the AIRC.

The Branch Committee of our Branch, having become aware of allegations of financial impropriety, passed the following Resolutions on Thursday 2 April 2009

1.   The Branch Committee directs the Secretary to write to the Registrar of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission requesting an investigation into a suspected failure to comply with Chapter 8 Part 3 of the Registration and Accountability of Organisations Schedule between 2002 and 2007 by the National Organisation of the HSU in that:

it failed to keep and correctly record and explain the transactions and financial position of the National Organisation between 2002 and 2007.      

            CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2.   The Branch Committee will advise members of the Branch of possible financial irregularities in the National Office of the Health Services Union and seek the support of the Membership of the Health Services Union in requesting the Registrar of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to undertake an investigation into the finances and financial administration of the National Organisation between 2002 and 2007.

            CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.   With respect to the above resolution (2) the Branch Committee directs the Secretary to prepare a pro forma document to be forwarded by email to members of the Branch, which will also be able to be accessed from the member-only pages of the MSAV/VPA/AHP website, seeking members’ support for the request for an investigation by the Registrar, and requiring them to respond in writing or electronically if they wish to provide the requested support.

            CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

I have written to the Industrial Registrar in accordance with the first resolution of the BCOM.

In accordance with the second resolution, I advise members of possible irregularities in the National Office of the HSU. Under the s333 of Schedule 1 Registration and Accountability of Organisations of the Workplace Relations Act 1996, 250 members of the Union can request the Industrial Registrar to investigate the finances and the financial administration of the HSU National Office.

The Branch Committee of Management of HSU#4 seeks the support of members in making the request to the Registrar. If the Registrar receives such a request from more than 250 members of the HSU, he must investigate the finances and the financial affairs of the Union.

In accordance with the third resolution of the Branch Committee of Management, I am preparing a document in the form of a request to the Registrar to investigate the finances of the National Office between 2002 and 2007, which will be circulated to members of the Branch next week.