Australia’s minority government, led by Julia Gillard, is at risk of being defamed and dethroned at the hands of Craig Thomson as reports continue to surface regarding the illegal use of his Health Services Union MasterCard.
Craig Thomson is under investigation to determine whether he unlawfully used his Health Services Union credit card to spend over $15,000 at Australian escort agencies and withdrew over $100,000 for personal expenses, including the financing of his election campaign.
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This purported scandal could bring down the Gillard government. If Thomson is convicted, he could face more than a year in prison, effectively removing him from his parliamentary seat which would necessitate a by-election. Based on the current polls, the ALP would likely lose a by-election and a seat in the House. This change in seats could be enough to cause a change in government.
Thomson, backed by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, stands by his statement that all accusations against him are false, suggesting that others have access to his credit card and any expenses associated with brothels and escort agencies were done without his knowing, his signature forged in the transaction.
Senator George Brandis, Shadow Attorney-General who is leading the Coalition pursuit of Thomson, deems it is time for a police investigation: “If Thomson’s story is true and his signature was forged, a crime has been committed against him. If it’s not true, a crime has been committed by him. Either way, a crime has been committed. It’s now high time for the [New South Wales] police to commence an investigation.”
As talks surface suggesting that Thomson should step down from his role of MP, Trade minister Craig Emerson, in his interview on Lateline, suggests that this a matter appropriate for police investigation and should stay out of the hands of politicians.
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