THE UNIONS WANT DYSON HEYDON GONE - HERE'S THEIR ARGUMENTS
ACTU
* Wants the commissioner to recuse himself and resign on the grounds he is unable to afford any union, or person associated with any union, procedural fairness as a result of his "apprehended bias".
* A fair-minded observer would think Mr Heydon would have known the Sir Garfield Barwick address was a Liberal party event, having seen the initial email inviting him to speak.
* A fair-minded observer would infer Mr Heydon was aware it might be attended by some Liberal politicians.
* From seeing the email correspondence, a fair-minded observer would think Mr Heydon knew the event was a fundraiser for the party.
* A fair-minded observer would conclude that Mr Heydon remains prepared to speak at such an event once the commission finishes.
CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION
* A fair-minded observer would reasonably think Mr Heydon was aware the event was a Liberal one when he was invited.
* Having seen emails between the organiser and Mr Heydon, a fair-minded observer would conclude he was prepared to allow himself to be portrayed as a supporter of the Liberal party.
* The commissioner has an affinity with, and partiality in favour of, the Liberal party and might not bring an independent mind to make findings of fact in a politically controversial inquiry.
AUSTRALIAN WORKERS UNION
* The commissioner was aware from the outset the event was a Liberal party branch function, emails show.
* The acceptance of the invitation raises the strong inference of association with the Liberal party.
* A fair-minded observer would think there's a real possibility of the commissioner not bringing an impartial mind to the commission.
* Justice is not seen to be done if the commissioner continues in the job.
(Source: Unions submissions to royal commission released on Friday).
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