Disgraced former union boss Craig Thomson has been ordered to pay more than $450,000 in compensation and penalties for the misuse of union funds, but he cannot pay.
He was fined $80,050 for breaching the Fair Work Act and ordered to pay $231,000 to the Health Services Union, plus $146,937 in interest.
In September the Federal Court found he spent more than $300,000 of HSU members' funds to pay for prostitutes and his campaign to be elected to the federal seat of Dobell.
Judge Christopher Jessup on Tuesday said Thomson showed no contrition or any appreciation of the seriousness of the matters.
Thomson did not contest the Federal Court action but maintained his innocence throughout the civil proceedings.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
He has 74 days to pay the $80,050 penalty or it will increase.
Thomson's lawyer Chris McArdle said "it might as well be a million".
"He's got no money, no job and no assets," Mr McArdle said.
He said he didn't know what the consequences would be for not honouring the order.
If you don't pay a fine in the criminal jurisdiction you can be "locked up", Mr McArdle said.
"There's no such power in the Federal Court Act."
Mr Thomson is relying on family and friends to help him pay a $25,000 penalty imposed by the Victorian County Court after he was found guilty of 13 counts of theft.
Fair Work Commission general manager Bernadette O'Neill said the decision sent a clear message to officers of registered organisations that a failure to meet their obligations was a serious issue and would be treated accordingly.
"I am particularly pleased that this decision recognises the impact of Mr Thomson's actions on the union's membership," Ms O'Neill said in a statement.
