The retiring WA Branch Secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (TWU), James McGiveron, and McGiveron’s successor as Branch Secretary, Richard Burton, did not act for a proper purpose and in the best interests of the WA Branch.
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General Manager of the Fair Work Commission v McGiveron and Burton [2017] FCA 405
The retiring WA Branch Secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (TWU), James McGiveron, and McGiveron’s successor as Branch Secretary, Richard Burton, did not act for a proper purpose and in the best interests of the WA Branch when they:
Burton also admitted acting improperly to gain a personal advantage and for others by spending over $2,500 of the union’s money for personal expenses without authority. The matter involved contraventions of the officers’ duties under sections 285, 286 and/or 287 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009.
In July 2012 McGiveron intended to resign as Branch Secretary, but to continue employment with the TWU in a non-elected role. Burton took over as Branch Secretary in October 2012.
McGiveron admitted agreeing with Burton in July 2012 that the Branch should purchase two luxury Ford F350 utility vehicles for $137,000 each, with one to be used by McGiveron while employed by the TWU after stepping down as Secretary. McGiveron also knew that personal ownership of that vehicle might be acquired after employment at TWU had ended.
McGiveron entered into a contract to purchase the vehicles and paid an $80,000 deposit, without the authority to do so. After taking over as Branch Secretary, Burton without authority completed the purchase of the vehicles and also added optional accessories at an additional cost of over $20,000.
Burton denied agreeing to purchase the F350s or that they had intended one of the two vehicles to be purchased for their exclusive personal use. However when the vehicles were available for delivery Burton arranged for one vehicle to be registered to McGiveron and the other to Burton. Burton then transferred personalised number plates to the vehicle and used the car for personal benefit. In cross-examination Burton also admitted to being aware of McGiveron’s intention to purchase the F350s in July 2012.
The Court found that Burton kept details of the purchases secret and did not disclose them to the Branch Committee of Management (BCOM), the Branch Finance Committee or the Branch’s auditors.
McGiveron also admitted to drafting and recommending to the BCOM to adopt a more generous Branch redundancy policy in July 2012, which was passed by the BCOM. This was a conflict of interest as McGiveron knew that there would be a personal financial benefit from the new policy if employment with the Branch was made redundant.
In late 2012 McGiveron resigned as Branch Secretary and was replaced by Burton, although McGiveron continued in employment with the Branch.
In May 2013 Burton made McGiveron’s employment redundant. In July 2013 Burton made a severance payment to McGiveron worth nearly $350,000 on top of accrued entitlements, which was a payment Burton did not have authority to make. This included an extra 27 weeks of severance pay that McGiveron would not have received under the previous redundancy policy.
Burton also admitted misusing the position of Branch Secretary for personal advantage by using union money to pay for non-union related expenses, which were a meal at the Rockpool Bar and Grill, vehicle hire to transport items for personal benefit, and a catered box at the WAFL Grand Final.
Organisations should have robust policies and procedures to ensure that conflicts of interest are addressed properly and to hold senior office holders to account for the proper expenditure of members’ funds.
Organisations must develop a strong culture of compliance that recognises that they hold funds solely for the benefit of their members and counters any sense of entitlement by officers that may personally benefit from them.
Officers must avoid conflicts of interests and not make decisions in their own interests or that will result in personal benefit. Executive officers must fully understand their financial authority under the rules and make adequate disclosures to governing bodies and auditors about financial transactions.
In referring the purchase of the luxury vehicles Justice Barker stated at [91]:
In this regard Justice Barker stated at [96]:
Justice Barker noted that the secretaries held a significant position of trust and this gave them control over substantial revenue and assets. In imposing high penalties despite admissions by the former secretaries Justice Baker, stated that [at 121]:
McGiveron admitted to all alleged breaches but argued unsuccessfully to acting for a proper purpose. McGiveron was ordered to pay a penalty of $16,000 (reduced to $11,000, if paid within 74 days).
Burton admitted all of the alleged breaches, but denied having agreed with McGiveron to purchase the F350s. This was rejected by the Court, which found that McGiveron and Burton discussed and knew what was proposed and each was involved in the purchase and use of the vehicles.
Burton was ordered to pay a penalty of $49,900 (reduced to $27,300, if paid within 74 days).
WAD 363 of 2016