Labor MP Craig Thomson denies new escort allegations as he is questioned by journalists at parliament house in Canberra. Picture: Ray strange Source: The Australian
POLICE say they will investigate allegations that federal Labor MP Craig Thomson misused his union credit card.
Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis has provided information to police in relation to a number of matters concerning a federal Labor MP," new South Wales police said in a statement.
"this correspondence has now been referred for internal assessment to determine whether a criminal offence has occurred."
Mr Thomson is alleged to have used a credit card issued to him when he was head of the Health Services Union, to pay for the services of prostitutes.
He denies the allegation and says another person, whom he has not named, used the card at brothels.
NSW Police had previously refused to investigate Craig Thomson’s credit card unless the Health Services Union made a complaint. but a police spokesman had said they would be "happy" to conduct an investigation should the union complain about the use of the credit card to hire prostitutes.NSW Police say "standardised assessment and investigation protocols" will be followed in their investigation.
If a byelection was held and Labor lost, it could end the minority Gillard government.
The announcement of the police investigation came as Prime Minister Julia Gillard said it would be unfair to comment on new allegations against embattled Labor backbencher Craig Thomson.Fairfax newspapers today reported court documents showed mr Thomson’s mobile phone was used to contact escort agencies on April 7 and 8, 2005, when he was head of the Health Services Union.The same phone was used at the time to call a media contact for the Labor MP Stephen Smith, now the defence minister, and Michael Williamson, the then general secretary of the union.mr Thomson’s union-issued credit card was used to pay $2475 to an escort agency on April 8.The same mobile phone also was used to call two escort agencies on August 16, 2007, and in the two preceding days the phone had been used to contact union staffers and a staff member of Labor senator Mark Arbib, now a cabinet minister.Also on August 15 a payment of $385 was made to an escort agency from mr Thomson’s credit card.Coalition frontbencher George Brandis has written to the NSW police requesting they investigate the use of the union credit card.Senator Brandis says if someone else has used the card for personal expenses it is a crime, and if the mr Thomson has used it for personal expenses than that relates to property offences.if mr Thomson, who has denied any wrongdoing, was charged and convicted he would have to leave parliament and a Labor loss in a by-election could end the Gillard minority government.The prime minister told ABC Radio today she stood by mr Thomson and could not comment further until a fair Work Australia investigation into the union was concluded.Government members also are facing questions over who was involved in the NSW Labor party lending mr Thomson at least $90,000 to cover his legal expenses and avoid bankruptcy, which would also see him disqualified from parliament.Ms Gillard, who said she had spoken with mr Thomson, said the decision was a matter for the NSW Labor organisation."Let’s remember here in this very parliament we’ve had members of parliament, members of the Howard government, investigated by the Australian Federal Police and ultimately the police found they had no case to answer," Ms Gillard said."In the meantime the Member for Dobell is doing his job as a member in this parliament."NSW Labor powerbroker Senator Mark Arbib, who has been reported as one of the figures behind the loan, on Tuesday referred reporters to the NSW ALP organisation for comment.Coalition frontbencher Andrew Robb last night told parliament the government’s support for mr Thomson was "sickening"."look at the evidence that comes out … that he has lied, that he is a thief, yet the prime minister stands up here daily and supports (him)," he said.