The Conduct of Union Disciplinary Hearings

Abstract

All of Australia's federally-registered unions have rules which create offences. A member who is charged with an offence may not be dealt with in an arbitrary fashion. The law provides a number of procedural protections for the individual in these circumstances. If they are not observed by the union committee which deals with the charges any action which the committee purports to take against the member is a nullity. This paper seeks to identify the relevant procedural protections and to provide guidance on their application for union officials who may be called on to hear and deal with charges.