Prime Minister Gillard established Fair Work Australia as a quasi judicial body and, under section 361, removed the presumption of innocence. After nearly four years Fair Work has handed down its finding of guilt but Gillard, Labor and their supporters refuse to accept their decision as it doesn’t suit their political needs.
The findings of Fair Work clearly established that union funds were used for prostitution, meals, travel, cash withdrawals, on Thomson’s election campaign. The authority also stated Thomson was untruthful in his explanation on these matters.
These findings are most serious and, if committed by a company executive, he would at the very least be removed from his position and more than likely be facing serious criminal charges. There is also proof that New South Wales Labor paid Thomson’s legal bills to keep him from bankruptcy and ensure the survival of the Gillard government. There is a stench about this whole sleazy matter and, whilst people continue to sweep these matters under the carpet and allow Thomson to hide behind some mistaken claim of innocence, it will not go away.
It is essential that not only Thomson provide the parliament with an explanation but the Prime Minister, who for so long continued to express full confidence in him and continues to accept his tainted vote in parliament, also come clean on her knowledge of this sordid affair.
As Thomson hasn’t been convicted of an offence which carries a penalty of 12 months or more imprisonment, he remains eligible to sit in the parliament.
Our system of democracy, among other things, depends upon integrity and honesty in government and those elected to this high office have a duty to ensure that this so. To ignore the tribunal’s findings does nothing to engender confidence, respect, or enhance the standing of parliament or our politicians.
All this talk about Thomson being entitled to the presumption of innocence is a red herring designed to delay any early election and ensure the survival of the Gillard government. In view of the findings of Fair Work, and in the interests of restoring honesty and integrity to the parliament, Thomson should resign and if he fails to do so, the Independents should withdraw support for the Gillard government and force an early election.
Don Campbell
Port Macquarie
