Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has called for former High Court judge Dyson Heydon to be stripped of his Australian honours after an independent investigation found he sexually harassed six junior court staff.
Mr Shorten, who was grilled for two days before Justice Heydon during the royal commission into trade union corruption in 2014, said the revelations of 77-year-old's behaviour were "shocking".
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten says former High Court judge Dyson Heydon should be stripped of his Australian honours. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
"My first thoughts are with the six women and other lawyers who have encountered this fellow," Mr Shorten told Today on Channel Nine.
"It takes a great deal of strength to come forward. These are associates. They're idealistic young staff. What massive power imbalance."
The High Court inquiry was prompted by two of the judge's former associates notifying Chief Justice Susan Kiefel in March 2019 that they had been sexually harassed by Mr Heydon.
Mr Shorten said he saluted Chief Justice Kiefel for her handling of the allegations and her public apology to the women on Monday.
Former High Court justice Dyson Heydon.Credit:Ben Rushton
"I get all impressions that when it's been presented she has acted. This is the High Court of Australia. It's a respected institution. It goes to show no workplace has been immune from this sort of conduct," he said.
In a statement on Monday, Justice Heydon's lawyers categorically denied any allegation of predatory behaviour or breaches of the law.
He has also "emphatically" denied any allegation of sexual harassment or any offence.
Mr Shorten questioned why Justice Heydon should get to keep his Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) and, if the matter goes to court or there's further investigations, his taxpayer earnings from the royal commission.
He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his service to the law.
"If you believe the women, this guy was using his job in a very predatory fashion. How does he keep the highest honour in Australia?" he said.
"He was handpicked by the Coalition government to hold what I thought was a witch-hunt into trade unions. I've dealt with him. It's a separate matter.
"I think the witch-hunt was a waste of time. Now it turns out that the witch-hunter in chief has got his own baggage."
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Rob Harris is the National Affairs Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based at Parliament House in Canberra
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2020-06-22 23:33:31Z
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