Union boss's $50,000 WorkCover post

The state's most powerful union boss, from a Labor faction that offered crucial support for WorkCover laws, has been given a $50,000-a-year post on the WorkCover board.

The Advertiser understands Peter Malinauskas, who replaced Right factional heavyweight Senator Don Farrell as secretary of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association, will be appointed within weeks.

The deal to get Mr Malinauskas on the board was secured this month by former industrial relations minister Michael Wright, a member of the Right, before he lost responsibility for WorkCover to Paul Caica, of the Left, in last week's Cabinet reshuffle.

The new WorkCover laws caused a deep factional split in the Labor Party but Premier Mike Rann won the day with the help of key Right figures in convincing ALP members the laws were necessary.

Deep divisions over WorkCover still exist.

The Government faces a censure motion, moved by the Australian Workers' Union, at the ALP state convention on August 16.

Mr Malinauskas would replace SA Unions secretary Janet Giles. She quit the board in February in protest at the new laws.

By law, the board must consist of nine members. Among requirements are that "two members must be appointed in consultation with worker interests".

Mr Caica is understood to have met the board yesterday but he would make no comment.

Mr Malinauskas yesterday said: "I have not had any discussions with the Government about this for the past fortnight. I'm still waiting and I haven't heard anything official, so I'm just not in a position to be able to provide any comment."

Opposition Upper House MP Rob Lucas said the appointment was "typical of the Rann Government's arrogance when WorkCover is facing a $1 billion unfunded liability crisis".

Source: Michael Owen, Policitcal Reporter; Adelaide Now