The following statement was provided on 25 February 2022 in response to a query from a media outlet.
The Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) commenced an investigation into the Health Services Union Victoria No. 1 Branch on 2 February 2022.
The investigation arises out of information provided to the ROC from a range of sources, including protected disclosures alleging misconduct concerning the financial affairs of the Branch.
It will examine the Branch’s records and accounts and whether the Branch or any persons subject to the Act may have contravened a provision relating to the Branch’s accounts and audits, or a civil penalty provision of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (the RO Act).
This includes:
- the management and administration by the Branch of controlled entities and the reporting of those matters in the Branch’s financial reports
- the Branch’s financial relationship with, and payments made to, its contractors and suppliers
- the approval and proper disclosure of payments of remuneration, reimbursements and related party benefits to officials and
- the conduct of the financial audits for the Branch.
The investigation has been commenced under Section 331 of the RO Act which provides that the Commissioner may investigate any matters relating to whether any provision relating to the Branch’s accounts and audits, or any civil penalty provisions have been contravened.
The ROC will investigate alleged misconduct based on information it receives, including from protected disclosures, if the ROC is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so.
The ROC is unable to comment further on this matter, as it remains as an open investigation.