New Fair Work posts labelled jobs for mates Union man: Jeff Lawrence named to commission. In the latest controversy over the appointment of former union officials to the Fair Work Commission, the Gillard government has appointed former ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence and others with strong Labor links to the tribunal. Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten announced the appointments on Thursday afternoon, just before the Easter break. Mr Lawrence, who until a year ago was the ACTU secretary, was made a deputy president. Also appointed as a commissioner was Leigh Johns, who has a long history with Labor and has been the chief executive of the Fair Work Building and Construction inspectorate. The changes were among eight appointments announced by Mr Shorten. They include two new vice-presidents, Joe Catanzariti, a partner at law firm Clayton Utz, and Adam Hatcher, SC, a former Labor candidate and an industrial relations barrister who has represented major unions. Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said the appointments showed the "jobs for Labor's mates" network was alive and well. "The role of deputy president at the FWC is supposed to be one which commands a 'balanced' interpretation of industrial relations law," he said. This is the same Jeff Lawrence who said recently, 'All I've ever wanted to do, or intend to do, is work for unions'. Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Peter Anderson said the appointments were "disrespectful" to business. "It is disappointing that the government has overlooked representatives from industry and employers ... that the government could not appoint one person of the eight from an active current role in industry or from amongst employer bodies is disrespectful to the private sector," Mr Anderson said. Both Labor Liberal governments have been criticised for favouring either unions - in the case of Labor - or those with an employer background - in the Coalition's case - when they have made appointments. Also appointed as a deputy president was Ingrid Asbury, who worked at the Australian Industry Group, and as a commissioner Nick Wilson, now the Fair Work Ombudsman.