JULIA Gillard faces fresh turmoil just two days after seeing off a leadership challenge, with new revelations over the use of Labor MP Craig Thomson's credit card to pay for prostitutes. A 120-page audit found Mr Thomson failed to question why $5000 was spent on prostitutes -- even though he was supposed to be the card's sole user.
The report also found the NSW MP gained a "personal benefit" from his Health Services Union credit card.
The investigation, by Slater & Gordon and BDO Kendall, heavily criticised the former HSU boss over inappropriate spending and found he was likely to have breached industrial laws by taking his then wife on 19 flights.
The report has been forwarded to Victoria Police and Fair Work Australia, which are conducting investigations into the Labor MP.
If convicted and sentenced to 12 months' jail, Mr Thomson would have to leave Parliament, loosening the Gillard Government's hold on power.
Mr Thomson withdrew cash advances of $100,000 in his five years as HSU national secretary, the audit shows.
The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000.
He denies paying for the prostitutes but the audit team questions how he could have allowed seven transactions involving adult services to slip through.
"We remain unable to reconcile these denials with Thomson's apparent failure to draw attention to these transactions before this investigation despite the accounting procedure . . . requiring the presentation of supporting documents for each transaction occurred," the audit said.
It found some cash advances were not "appropriate expenditures".
Last night, Mr Thomson said: "I deny any wrongdoing. I have fully co-operated with police and Fair Work Australia."
The latest revelations come amid new evidence the industrial watchdog has been dragging the chain during its three-year investigation of Mr Thomson. It has spent $912,000 in legal fees on the HSU inquiry, but just $250,000 of this was spent from April 2009-July 2011.
Yesterday, Treasurer Wayne Swan said the Government was focusing on the economy. "The thing (Labor) is proudest of, is that today there are more Australians employed than at any other time in our history," he said.
heraldsun.com.au 29 Feb 2012
Another example of a corrupt government and a corrupt legal system at work.
Watch as another criminal from the political scene walks free from 'charges ' of fraud, and other other offences relating to the matter.
The politicians are trully "Above the Law".
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