Fed: One charge against building union boss dropped
MELBOURNE, April 29 AAP - One of two charges against a Victorian Union boss chargedwith breaching the Royal Commission Act was dropped today at a court hearing in Melbourne.
Martin Kingham, Victorian secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and EnergyUnion, had been charged with two counts of failing to cooperate with the building royalcommission headed by Terence Cole, QC, last year.
Kingham allegedly refused to produce details of people who taught and attended trainingcourses for shop stewards.
His lawyer Robert Richter, QC, told the Melbourne Magistrates Court there had onlybeen one requirement by Commissioner Cole, so there should only be one charge.
Magistrate John Hardy agreed Kingham was in jeopardy of double punishment and struckout one count.
In earlier opening remarks, Mr Richter said Commissioner Cole's requirements had notbeen made for a proper purpose but for "a collateral purpose, that is, to set Mr Kinghamup".
However Mr Richter said he would not pursue an application to stay today's proceedingson the basis of an abuse of process.
The hearing is expected to hear evidence from one witness only, Richard Tracey, QC,who assisted Commissioner Cole and examined Kingham during the Commission.
The hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court is continuing.
AAP nl/kc/gfr/wjf/bwl
KEYWORD: KINGHAM COURT LEAD
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