Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Senators may be aware, like Senator McKenzie, of reports in today's Fairfax Media that former union secretary and current Labor MP Cesar Melhem spent $40,000 out of the AWU's slush fund to bankroll a long list of luxury purchases, including restaurants and hotels in Singapore, Britain, Lebanon, France and Denmark; alcohol; silverware; and other luxury purposes. Ordinary and honest AWU members could only dream of such a lifestyle of luxury. It was a lifestyle indulged in by the very person they are elected to represent their interests and steward their dues. The Victorian Labor leader and Mr Shorten need to deal with these allocations now. I might add that they are allegations that are not in the royal commission, but in the media today. (Time expired)