Health Workers Union put into administration as secretary Diana Asmar stands down
The national executive of the Health Services Union reached the deal with Asmar on Friday after spending months in court seeking to take control of the HWU, one of its four Victorian branches.
The Fair Work Commission has taken civil action against Asmar, alleging that a printing business connected to her received $2.7 million in HWU member funds for no service, with the money instead going into private accounts, and that more than $120,000 in reimbursements was claimed without evidence of relevant business expenses.
The Health Services Union itself is not accused of any wrongdoing, and has since September sought to put the HWU into administration over the allegations. Asmar privately denied the accusations and had previously fought against giving up control of the HWU.
On Friday, the Health Services Union's national executive announced it had reached an in-principle agreement that would put the Victorian branch into full administration, avoiding months of court hearings that were scheduled to begin in May.
Asmar has agreed to support this process and will be automatically removed from her position, ending her time in office, which was not due to expire until November 2026.
The agreement does not affect the Fair Work Commission's prosecution against Asmar and other senior HWU leaders.
Health Services Union national secretary Lloyd Williams said the union would continue to support the commission as it seeks to prosecute Asmar and recover compensation for any losses from alleged financial misconduct.
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