Conroy slams unions royal commission

Labor frontbencher Stephen Conroy has slammed the trade unions royal commission, saying it had finally admitted its persecution of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was unfounded.

Senator Conroy said this shameful star chamber, "the masters of the smear", blatantly attempted to shape the media coverage by releasing their findings late on Friday, a well-known political tactic to kill off a media story.

The commission released documents on Friday after newspaper deadlines saying it would pursue no further action against Mr Shorten, who was questioned at length about his activities as a union official before entering politics.

Senator Conroy told the Senate the commission's political motivations and lack of credibility was well-established.

"We should not have been surprised by their extraordinary irresponsible and prejudiced actions last week," he said.

Senator Conroy said the conduct of the commission had been akin to a medieval star chamber.

"And now they have admitted the innocence of their key target," he said.

"The royal commission hid the fact that Mr Shorten was innocent. What a disgrace they are to their profession.

"What a professionally indolent biased lazy bunch of amateurs hiding behind the title of royal commission."