Kathy Jackson denied right to appeal

Bankrupt former union secretary Kathy Jackson has been denied the right to appeal a court order to repay her former employer $1.4 million.

Kathy Jackson (R) and Michael Lawler

Former Fair Work Commission vice president Michael Lawler with his partner, former Health Services Union (HSU) boss and whistleblower, Kathy Jackson in 2014. Source: AAP

Disgraced whistleblower Kathy Jackson has lost her bid to appeal a Federal Court order to repay $1.4 million she siphoned from the Health Services union.

The former HSU secretary, who was not in court in Melbourne to hear that on Thursday, was in August ordered to pay the union $1.4 million by Federal Court Justice Richard Tracey.

Jackson spent $305,828 on union-issued credit cards for travel, food, alcohol and entertainment, going on shopping sprees at Myer, David Jones, Harvey Norman and more, Justice Tracey said.

She also withdrew cash from a cheque account, gave $100 each to branch committee of management members at meetings, and kept the rest in a "kitty" which partially went towards her mortgage, Justice Richard Tracey found.

Union funds were also used to pay for her groceries, entertainment, and even her divorce, the court heard.

Jackson, who filed for bankruptcy mid-year, later launched an appeal against the order to pay, which was dismissed by Justice Christopher Jessup on Thursday.

Justice Jessup said Jackson's appeal was "incompetent" because at the time it was filed she had not sought or obtained leave to appeal.

Victoria Police are investigating her conduct at the HSU between 2008 and February this year.


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Source: AAP


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