Bill Ludwig is boss of the National Australian Workers Union. He is also a director of Racing Queensland Limited. It is understood Mr Ludwig is eligible for an income of at least $50,000for his RQL duties.
Mr Ludwig took defamation action against former Supreme Court judge Bill Carter in relation to Mr Ludwig’s duties as an RQL director.
Bill Ludwig personally signed two Australian Workers Union cheques worth almost $45,000 combined for his legal expenses relating to his position as a director of Racing Queensland Limited.
Mr Ludwig said he had done nothing unusual.
He said union officials lost their private identity when they took on the job of union representation.
“Any attack on them becomes an attack on the union,” he said. “That is why their costs are covered.”
The AWU did not return The Courier-Mail’s calls to answer whether a damages payout from a successful action against Mr Carter would have been given to the union.
No one from the Australian Council of Trade Unions was available for comment on whether unions routinely pay the legal costs of union officials involved in private disputes.
Reference: www.badapplebullies.com
