The Federal Court had adjourned the AWU's challenge into the "improper political purpose" of the raids until an AFP investigation was finalised. The union successfully argued the trial should be delayed until it can be granted access to three confidential AFP affidavits relating to the raids, which have only been seen by the police and a judge.



The case was due back in court for an update on the investigation's progress on Friday, June 8, but that hearing was adjourned until July 30 after the AFP indicated to the court that it expects its investigation to be concluded in time for the case to go ahead in August.

However, the August 1 court date could be deferred if the AWU requests more time to consider the investigation documents, or the AFP decides to withdraw materials on the grounds of public interest immunity.

When asked on Wednesday by BuzzFeed News for a status update on the investigation, the AFP said it was ongoing. It did not answer questions about the Federal Court proceedings.



The AWU launched its court challenge following revelations from BuzzFeed News that jobs and innovation minister Michaelia Cash's office tipped off the media about the October 24 raids by the AFP on the Sydney and Melbourne offices.

BuzzFeed News has also spoken to a journalist who claims they received a tip-off from then justice minister Michael Keenan's office ahead of the raids.



The union aims to probe the validity of the raids, which were part of an investigation by the Turnbull government–established watchdog, the Registered Organisations Commission, into donations made by the AWU over a decade ago when it was run by current Labor leader Bill Shorten.

Jobs and innovation minister Michaelia Cash was last week reissued by the Federal Court with a subpoena to produce documents and appear to give evidence in August.