Union royal commission recommendations

ROYAL COMMISSION INTO TRADE UNION CORRUPTION KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:

* The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions should consider criminal charges against CFMEU officials for intimidation and coercion.

* ASIC should consider charges against the Queensland CFMEU state secretary for breaches of the Corporations Act.

* The Commonwealth DPP should consider criminal charges against HSU officials for making false statements.

* The Victorian CFMEU secretary and assistant secretary should be considered for prosecution on blackmail charges.

* Victorian and WA authorities should consider fraud charges against the former officials responsible for an AWU workplace reform association slush fund.

OTHER ADVERSE COMMENTS:

* TWU in relation to the McLean Forum and TEACHO training fund.

* AWU in relation to the Industry 2020 fund.

* HSU in relation to involvement in its internal elections by officials of the TWU and AWU and their related slush funds.

* CFMEU in relation to impropriety within the Cbus superannuation fund.

* ETU in relation to the operation of the Protect income protection fund.

COMMISSION'S CONCERNS ABOUT SLUSH FUNDS:

* They operate largely in secret.

* They have deficient or non-existent record-keeping.

* Contributions to them may not be voluntary.

* They give a disproportionate advantage to incumbents.

* Candidates commonly plead ignorance over funding sources, expenditure and debts incurred.

(Source: Employment Minister Eric Abetz media statement)