Former union boss Derrick Belan couldn't tell the trade union royal commission about the cruise ship holiday charged to his work credit card but he did tell the inquiry about the $25,000 cash sitting in his car.
Appearing at the inquiry after being excused on medical grounds last week, the ex-head of the National Union of Workers NSW branch was asked the whereabouts of a pile of cash withdrawn from an election slush fund known as "The Derrick Belan Team" account.
"That's here," Mr Belan answered counsel assisting the commission Sarah McNaughton SC.
"Where's here?" Ms McNaughton asked.
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"In the car," was the reply.
The election cash was not union money, Mr Belan said, and was taken out of its account because "we don't like banks".
Mr Belan faced many questions about his financial matters as union head on Tuesday.
The commission has heard a tattoo, a cruise ship holiday, children's toys and clothing, holiday accommodation, dating site fees, jewellery and rent were paid for with Mr Belan's union-issued Mastercard and American Express.
Almost $700,000 was spent on the cards between 2009 and 2015, though not all is being investigated as improper.
Mr Belan laid the blame for spending on his cards on his niece, Danielle O'Brien, who was accounts manager at the NUW office and has admitted using union money to buy gifts for herself.
Ms O'Brien, who wept during her evidence last week, also told the commission her uncle had used his card for personal purchases.
Mr Belan quit his job in the week after the royal commission issued summonses to the NSW NUW but insisted he did not resign from his $244,000-a-year position because of fraud or theft.
"I resigned after it was found one of my administrative staff was committing fraud," a defiant Mr Belan said upon taking the stand.
"At no time did I commit fraud or ask anyone to do that on my behalf."
The commission was shown records of a $1840 cruise ship holiday he took on the Pacific Jewell in 2014 that was charged to Mr Belan's union American Express card.
Mr Belan said he had no idea the holiday had been billed to the union.
"I was told by Danielle it was all sorted and that I should just go and enjoy myself," he said.
He had been having personal relationship problems and had been sent on holiday as a gift from his niece and his brother, who also worked at the union.
Mr Belan said he did charge a $432 tattoo of his parents on his right calf to the union credit card but paid the money back.
Mr Belan repeatedly said he had never stolen from the union or authorised any questionable transactions and that Ms O'Brien managed his finances for him.
"It's all Danielle's fault, is it?" Ms McNaughton asked.
Mr Belan replied: "Yes, I believe so."
