Ex-AWU official in court over $400k fraud

Former union official Ralph Blewitt has appeared in a WA court charged with fraud over the alleged misappropriation of more than $400,000 in the 1990s.

A former Australian Workers Union official has appeared in a Perth court over the alleged misappropriation of more than $400,000.

Ralph Blewitt, 71, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with 31 fraud offences that allegedly took place between April 1992 and December 1994.

Blewitt previously admitted his connection to the AWU Reform Association fund, which was established by then-union boss Bruce Wilson when he was in a relationship with former prime minister Julia Gillard.

Blewitt, who lives in Malaysia, was granted bail until his next court appearance on July 6.