HSU officials deny bullying, falsification

A health union official says allegations at a corruption hearing of bullying and falsifying qualifications are politically motivated.

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Health Service Union official Kimberley Kitching leaves during a recess at The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption (AAP)

Health Services Union officials have rejected claims they falsified official tests and bullied staff, saying their accusers are politically motivated.

Kimberley Kitching, general manager of the HSU Victoria No 1 Branch, told the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption that she had not illegally completed online workplace entry tests for union organisers, contradicting evidence already given at the commission by current and former union staff.

On Monday union staff alleged branch secretary Diana Asmar told them Ms Kitching would complete their Right Of Entry tests to gain crucial qualifications.

Evidence presented to the commission also showed seven Right of Entry tests were done from one computer on February 15, 2013, in some cases just one minute apart.

Ms Kitching denied Ms Asmar ever told staff that she would carry out the online tests.

"That conversation did not happen," Ms Kitching said.

"I can also tell you that perhaps some of these witnesses are politically motivated.

"We have elections coming up and they may be motivated by malicious purposes."

Ms Asmar also denied any improper handling of the tests, saying testimonies to the commission were "definitely untrue".

The commission heard Ms Kitching was appointed general manager of the Victoria No 1 Branch of the HSU by Ms Asmar on a temporary basis, with an annual salary of between $110,000 and $120,000, after Ms Asmar was elected to the secretary role in late 2012.

Ms Kitching was later made a permanent employee.

The commission heard the general manager role was not advertised in 2012 and Ms Kitching provided her own job description.

Ms Asmar took up the secretary's role after the former HSU East branch, headed by union whistleblower Kathy Jackson, was dissolved into three separate branches, including Victoria No 1, following the financial scandal that ultimately resulted in the jailing of former HSU president Michael Williamson.

Ms Kitching, a friend of Ms Asmar through Labor party circles, made an unsuccessful bid for preselection in the safe Labor seat of Gellibrand, previously occupied by former attorney-general Nicola Roxon.

Ms Kitching and Ms Asmar both told the commission on Tuesday that claims by branch assistant secretary Leonie Flynn that she was bullied and prevented from doing her job were untrue.


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