Alleged branch stacker David Asmar, a close political ally of Bill Shorten, hurriedly left Australia a few days after being told he would have to appear before the royal commission into union corruption. 
Counsel assisting the royal commission, Jeremy Stoljar, said on Thursday there had been attempts for more than a year to have Mr Asmar appear as a witness.
Mr Stoljar said after Mr Asmar's lawyer had been told on   September 15 this year that Mr Asmar would have to appear as a witness Mr Asmar brought forward flights to Lebanon to leave just three days later. Mr Asmar was then confronted at Melbourne Airport by Federal Police and served with a summons. But Mr Asmar now says he is sick - and has a medical certificate - so could not return to Australia for the royal commission hearing on Thursday.
Mr Stoljar said the commission's inquiries were continuing. Mr Asmar is the husband of Diana Asmar, secretary of the troubled Health Services Union No.1 branch in Victoria.
State MP Cesar Melhem has said he gave Mr Asmar tens of thousands of dollars from his union slush fund, Industry 2020. Fairfax Media first revealed the existence of that slush fund and links to the HSU in 2012.
Mr Asmar has been working in the electoral office of senator Stephen Conroy, who with Mr Shorten runs the dominant faction in Victoria.