Nick O'Malley August 25, 2011
Interview with Tony Abbott
Posted August 25, 2011 11:52:37
Lyndal Curtis questions federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott over the Coalition's pursuit of embattled Labor MP Craig Thomson.
What is Mr Thomson accused of?
The former national secretary of the Health Services Union is accused of using his union credit card to pay for prostitutes, and to withdraw $100,000 in cash for his election campaign for the federal seat of Dobell. He denies the claims.
What happens next?
For now, Mr Thomson stays put and the government grits its teeth. The Health Services Union says it will co-operate with the NSW police and provide material. The union should have a lot of material too, given that it has conducted its own investigation and had Slater & Gordon go over its books. The matter is already with the fraud squad, which is now sure to mount a serious investigation.
Could Mr Thomson face charges?
Yes. But even if the police did recommend charges it is likely to be at least a year before a court decision. Mr Thomson would only automatically lose his seat should he be convicted of an offence warranting a custodial sentence of more that 12 months.
What about the government?
The police investigation might actually provide some political respite to the Prime Minister, as rather than having to daily reaffirm her support for a man facing such damning accusations, Ms Gillard and other government members will be able to defer questions until after the investigation.
Why is the HSU's co-operation with the police so important?
Though the allegations that Mr Thomson misused or stole HSU funds have been public knowledge since the Herald reported them in April 2009, police action was difficult without the union complaining. The union, no doubt aware that should a single federal Labor seat fall the government was doomed, did not complain. But with the increasing political pressure - in particular a letter and dossier sent by the shadow attorney-general, George Brandis, on Monday - police acted.
Why did the HSU change its mind?
The national secretary, Kathy Jackson, said the union had turned to the police in part because of new material that had come to light. Over the past two weeks the Herald has revealed that though Mr Thomson denies allegations - suggesting that his card was used by someone else - phones from hotel rooms he had hired were also used to contact escort agencies. It was reported that the Labor Party helped pay for legal bills arising from his aborted legal action against the Herald.
