Embattled HSU takes new name

The embattled Health Services Union has a new name and will soon have a new home.

Trading as the Health Workers Union, the Victorian branch of the controversial union has sold its head office for more than $7 million.

Secretary Diana Asmar said on Saturday the sale would pay off all remaining debts and allow the union to buy a new, smaller office outright.

She said the old South Melbourne office - a "grand mansion" with a rooftop bar - was four times the size the union needed.

"As a result our union has been paying up to $500,000 a year in loan repayments just to service this over-the-top debt," Ms Asmar said.

Ms Asmar said the union was rebuilding and membership had surged since the guilty verdicts handed to former union leaders Craig Thomson and Michael Williamson for fraud.

Ms Asmar said the union wanted to buy a more appropriate property, close to Melbourne's major hospitals precinct.