ID :
206030
Thu, 09/08/2011 - 14:32
Auther :

Labor MP Thomson to explain scandal

SYDNEY (AAP) - 08 Sept - Embattled Labor MP Craig Thomson has promised to make a "comprehensive statement" about the Health Services Union credit card scandal, as Victorian police began assessing evidence.
Liberal senator George Brandis last month referred 120 pages of material, relating to Mr Thomson's use of a credit card while he was head of the Health Services Union, to the NSW police for examination.
It's alleged Mr Thomson, the ALP member for Dobell since 2007, used the card to pay for escort services, lavish meals and ATM withdrawals. Mr Thomson denies any wrongdoing.
NSW police said in a statement the fraud squad had found no evidence of any offence under NSW law and had sent the file on to Victorian police, where the union's financial controls are based.
"It was concluded that based on the accounting practices of the union relating to the use of corporate credit cards there was no evidence to warrant a formal investigation by NSW Police," the statement said.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said the file would be assessed and "appropriate action" taken.
A Fair Work Australia investigation begun two years ago is expected to report by the end of the year.
Mr Thomson said in a statement on Thursday, ahead of parliament resuming for a two-week session on Monday: "I have always rejected claims of wrongdoing in these matters."
He said he intended to make a "comprehensive statement in the near future".
"In the meantime I look forward to continuing my work for the people of the (NSW) central coast," Mr Thomson said.
Senator Brandis, the shadow attorney-general, said he didn't owe Mr Thomson an apology.
"Not at all," he said. "What I and others have brought to light shows a course of conduct by him over years in which he used members' money as if it were his own."
He said the coalition would continue to pursue the issue.
Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan said the Liberal Party had shown a "lynch-mob mentality".
"If people have got allegations to make they should be dealt with in the normal way, free from the lynch-mob mentality which the Liberal Party is pursuing," Mr Swan told ABC Radio on Thursday.
"It doesn't matter whether it's Craig Thomson or whether it's the economy or whether it's asylum seekers, regardless of the facts they are out there running these scare campaigns and throwing mud all of the time."
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said there were questions for Mr Thomson and Prime Minister Julia Gillard to answer, especially in regard to NSW Labor paying for his legal costs.
"Why won't she subject herself to parliamentary scrutiny on this matter?" Mr Abbott said.
"No one should think that he has been cleared."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she had consistently expressed her confidence in Mr Thomson.
"He is there working for his local community. Police matters are a matter for the police and I am not going to comment on them," Ms Gillard told reporters in New Zealand.
"I have consistently said in relation to this matter and other matters involving federal parliamentarians, including a Liberal senator (who faces court on assault and stealing charges), that it's a question for proper processes.
"Proper processes need to be gone through and clearly the police are going through their relevant processes."

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