Howes turns on Shorten over union corruption rules Paul Howes dumps Bill Shorten, accusing him of going soft on corruption, and praises the Coalition instead: Australian Workers" Union boss Paul Howes has called for tougher penalties for union corruption and criticised the government for not matching the Coalition's policy to bring the penalty regime for unions in line with corporate law. Mr Howes said the increased penalties for union officials introduced last year by his predecessor and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten did not go far enough. He told The Australian Financial Review Labor should adopt the Coalition's policy. I can't see any reason why anyone in the [union] movement would fear having the same penalties that apply to company directors. If you're a crook, you're a crook,"" Mr Howes said... "I can't understand why the penalties in the Corporations Act weren't pushed through when the government legislated earlier this year."" Mr Howes was aware the comments will intensify the ill-feeling between himself and Mr Shorten. The pair fell out over Mr Shorten's part in rolling Julia Gillard as Labor leader... Mr Howes" comments also represent a departure from the ambivalence he first showed towards Tony Abbott's policy which the Opposition Leader flagged following Fair Work Australia's investigation into the misuse of members" funds by Health Services Union bosses, including MP Craig Thomson. What else might Howes say about Shorten? Thanks to reader Peter of Bellevue Hills.