The Federal Court has held that the investigation commenced by the Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) into Australian Manufacturing Union (AWU) donations from over a decade ago was improper and should not have commenced.
These donations were never a secret. They were declared to the Australian Electoral Commission as required.
From the beginning, the AWU has said the AFP raids were unnecessary and were an egregious abuse of state power for political purposes. This has been an exhausting, resource-draining, and distracting process for the union and the broader union movement, but the Court’s ruling is very satisfying.
It is important part of democracy that the actions of public agencies can and should be scrutinised and held to account. The AWU offices in Sydney and Melbourne should never have been raided by over 30 police in search of a few pieces of paper.