Thomson findings may not be made public

Updated February 03, 2012 21:02:43


Photo: Mr Thomson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. (AAP: Alan Porritt)

Related Story: Abetz releases 'inappropriate' Fair Work emails

Related Story: HSU boss challenged over 'conspiracy theories'


Map: Australia
Fair Work Australia has indicated it may not release the findings of its investigation into federal Labor MP Craig Thomson.

The industrial watchdog is looking into allegations Mr Thomson misused a work credit card when he was head of the Health Services Union before he entered Parliament.

Mr Thomson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Fair Work Australia says it wants the people it is investigating to respond to the allegations by March 5.

However it says it has not yet made a decision on whether the investigation report will be made public.

The Opposition says the inquiry is starting to smell like a government cover-up.

Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne says he finds it extraordinary that the tribunal is considering keeping the findings secret.

"What at best has been regarded as an institutional go-slow, starts to smell very like a cover-up of a member of Parliament on who the Government relies to stay in office," he said.

Mr Pyne says there is an obligation on the industrial watchdog to be open.

"Nobody will accept Fair Work Australia deciding not to publish the Craig Thomson finding," he said.

"That will be the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of trust in this Government and this Prime Minister in particular."

Earlier this week HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson, who is also under investigation by Fair Work Australia, alleged government interference in the Thomson investigation.

Ms Jackson told the ABC's 7.30 she wanted an external review to look into the reasons why the inquiry, which started in 2009, was taking so long.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said Ms Jackson was "welcome to her conspiracy theories".

But on Thursday Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said he had evidence of inappropriate dealings between the Government and Fair Work Australia.

In an email exchange made public by Senator Abetz, a Fair Work Australia employee sent a government adviser a statement she was providing to the media about the inquiry.

The government adviser replied to the email saying the statement was "awesome" and should minimise any run the story would get in the morning

FRED. wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 9:01am:

Thomson findings may not be made public Updated February 03, 2012 21:02:43 Photo: Mr Thomson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. (AAP: Alan Porritt) Related Story: Abetz releases 'inappropriate' Fair Work emails Related Story: HSU boss challenged over 'conspiracy theories' Map: Australia Fair Work Australia has indicated it may not release the findings of its investigation into federal Labor MP Craig Thomson. The industrial watchdog is looking into allegations Mr Thomson misused a work credit card when he was head of the Health Services Union before he entered Parliament. Mr Thomson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Fair Work Australia says it wants the people it is investigating to respond to the allegations by March 5. However it says it has not yet made a decision on whether the investigation report will be made public. The Opposition says the inquiry is starting to smell like a government cover-up. Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne says he finds it extraordinary that the tribunal is considering keeping the findings secret. "What at best has been regarded as an institutional go-slow, starts to smell very like a cover-up of a member of Parliament on who the Government relies to stay in office," he said. Mr Pyne says there is an obligation on the industrial watchdog to be open. "Nobody will accept Fair Work Australia deciding not to publish the Craig Thomson finding," he said. "That will be the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of trust in this Government and this Prime Minister in particular." Earlier this week HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson, who is also under investigation by Fair Work Australia, alleged government interference in the Thomson investigation. Ms Jackson told the ABC's 7.30 she wanted an external review to look into the reasons why the inquiry, which started in 2009, was taking so long. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said Ms Jackson was "welcome to her conspiracy theories". But on Thursday Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said he had evidence of inappropriate dealings between the Government and Fair Work Australia. In an email exchange made public by Senator Abetz, a Fair Work Australia employee sent a government adviser a statement she was providing to the media about the inquiry. The government adviser replied to the email saying the statement was "awesome" and should minimise any run the story would get in the morning

oh dear if the Australian public put up with this... then all I can say is we deserve what we get???

if gillard claims there is not a thing the govt can do to force FAIRWORK to release their findings....


then it should be screamed from the rooftops we want an election..


something is rotton in the state of Denmark... we apy for FAIRWORK..THOMO doesnt.. its us the people.

we have every right to know every detail...

cods wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 4:48pm:

oh dear if the Australian public put up with this... then all I can say is we deserve what we get??? if gillard claims there is not a thing the govt can do to force FAIRWORK to release their findings.... then it should be screamed from the rooftops we want an election.. something is rotton in the state of Denmark... we apy for FAIRWORK..THOMO doesnt.. its us the people. we have every right to know every detail...

That's why the world NEEDS people like Julian Assange.

all we need is tony abbott and the removal of 'fair work' which is a total failure.

You keep forgetting the hostile Senate he will be dealing with

To be fair - irrelevant of the findings - a guy spending $60,000 of the membership money of the lowest paid people in the country - and spending it flying business and first class around the world.

That's a pretty scummy sort of person is it not?

Labor have to remove themselves from all these ex-Union scum.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 5:42pm:

To be fair - irrelevant of the findings - a guy spending $60,000 of the membership money of the lowest paid people in the country - and spending it flying business and first class around the world. That's a pretty scummy sort of person is it not? Labor have to remove themselves from all these ex-Union scum.

I can only assume a few union heavies will kick the crap out of him in some dark ally once hes kicked out of his seat at the next election

adelcrow wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 5:38pm:

You keep forgetting the hostile Senate he will be dealing with

until the inevitable DD which will happen when the thoroughly discredited and disgraced labor and greens block every bit of legislation. it wil take about 6 months for a DD election which will then roll-back the carbon tax and change the composition of the senate. the electorate has a habit of severely punishing those the force early elections.

adelcrow wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 5:48pm:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 5:42pm: To be fair - irrelevant of the findings - a guy spending $60,000 of the membership money of the lowest paid people in the country - and spending it flying business and first class around the world. That's a pretty scummy sort of person is it not? Labor have to remove themselves from all these ex-Union scum. I can only assume a few union heavies will kick the crap out of him in some dark ally once hes kicked out of his seat at the next election

Gillard will drop him in a flash once she no longer needs him.

Is it standard practice for Fair work to publicly release investigations?
If not & no criminal activity is found why should this be any different?
If it is common practice then they will have to.
If criminality is found it will all be laid bare in court.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 5:59pm:

Is it standard practice for Fair work to publicly release investigations? If not & no criminal activity is found why should this be any different? If it is common practice then they will have to. If criminality is found it will all be laid bare in court.

He'll most likely get off.

My issue is just as much with the stuff that isnt illegal but morally a disgrace.

The members of that Union do the shittiest and scummiest jobs for the lowest wage and he is pissing their money on flying around the world in luxury.

It sits very badly with me.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 6:01pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 5:59pm: Is it standard practice for Fair work to publicly release investigations? If not & no criminal activity is found why should this be any different? If it is common practice then they will have to. If criminality is found it will all be laid bare in court. He'll most likely get off. My issue is just as much with the stuff that isnt illegal but morally a disgrace. The members of that Union do the shittiest and scummiest jobs for the lowest wage and he is pissing their money on flying around the world in luxury. It sits very badly with me.

I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently.
If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy.
It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't.
Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 6:05pm:

I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently. If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy. It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't. Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less.

I reckon the chick at the head of the HSU does care about the workers.
She actually did the right thing and the Labor Party have treated her abysmally.

Why exactly is losing the majority and going to the people such a bad thing to them???

It's like 'stay in power at all costs' isn't it?

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 6:09pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:05pm: I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently. If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy. It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't. Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less. I reckon the chick at the head of the HSU does care about the workers. She actually did the right thing and the Labor Party have treated her abysmally. Why exactly is losing the majority and going to the people such a bad thing to them??? It's like 'stay in power at all costs' isn't it?

Cmon Andrei, what do you reckon it is for the otherside when they are there.
That's all it is to ALL of them.
Don't try and push this as a Labor only trait.

I am not - but its more - why is there an absolute 'scared to death' of the public vote right now?

You'd have to admit the ALP right now are frightened to death of a General Election.
Hence all this stuff in the paper and the marginal MPs starting to chip away at Gillard.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 5:59pm:

Is it standard practice for Fair work to publicly release investigations? If not & no criminal activity is found why should this be any different? If it is common practice then they will have to. If criminality is found it will all be laid bare in court.

HOW many MPs have spent 3 years being investigated by FAIRWORK smithy?

this is the govt we are talking about.. not joe blow

I would be most surprised to see how much time this man has spent in his electorate since this came out?.

I realize he keeps saying he has done nothing wrong and the PM is backing that..

but if I was him and was found to NOT have done anything wrong I would be screaming for it to be aired in public...


otherwise.. if that doesnt happen...GUESS WHAT MOST WILL THINK?

c ome on if the was Murdoch you would be screaming for the details..if it was Abbott I have no idea what you would be doing... ;D ;D...

sorry I can only see you guys camping on the steps of parliament house demanding blood.

Quote:

HOW many MPs have spent 3 years being investigated by FAIRWORK smithy?

I have no idea Cods, I know of no other investigations in the pipe and only know those that have been ruled upon, how long it took them to find that ruling is anyones guess.
I do know it took our lawyer about 8 weeks and 3 drafts to get our agreement up & running & we are hardly a big company with 100's of employees.


Quote:

this is the govt we are talking about.. not joe blow

Not quite we are talking about the actions of a private citzen who NOW happens to be an MP



Quote:

if the was Murdoch you would be screaming for the details..if it was Abbott I have no idea what you would be doing

Probably something close to what you are ;)


Quote:

You'd have to admit the ALP right now are frightened to death of a General Election.

They have been since the last one, for the reason I gave in the other thread, the betrayal of the electorate.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 6:05pm:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:01pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 5:59pm: Is it standard practice for Fair work to publicly release investigations? If not & no criminal activity is found why should this be any different? If it is common practice then they will have to. If criminality is found it will all be laid bare in court. He'll most likely get off. My issue is just as much with the stuff that isnt illegal but morally a disgrace. The members of that Union do the shittiest and scummiest jobs for the lowest wage and he is pissing their money on flying around the world in luxury. It sits very badly with me. I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently. If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy. It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't. Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less.

exactly he'd have quite before now and probably either awaiting court or already in jail. THAT's why we are asking why he isnt!

If receipts where provided and the payments sanctioned no crime has been committed....The only adverse decision that can be made is against whom ever sanctioned the payments on the credit card if they breach regulations or if the payments where fraudulent.....If the payments where challenged Thomson would have had to pay the money back.....The guy will away with it because he was allowed to sign off on his expenses and they where not challenged.....Even now if the payments are found to breach any regulations Thomson is not legally responsible!!!

It sucks but that is the law!!!

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 6:11pm:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:09pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:05pm: I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently. If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy. It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't. Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less. I reckon the chick at the head of the HSU does care about the workers. She actually did the right thing and the Labor Party have treated her abysmally. Why exactly is losing the majority and going to the people such a bad thing to them??? It's like 'stay in power at all costs' isn't it? Cmon Andrei, what do you reckon it is for the otherside when they are there. That's all it is to ALL of them. Don't try and push this as a Labor only trait.

Evidence please.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 6:13pm:

I am not - but its more - why is there an absolute 'scared to death' of the public vote right now? You'd have to admit the ALP right now are frightened to death of a General Election. Hence all this stuff in the paper and the marginal MPs starting to chip away at Gillard.

There is no need for marginal MPs to worry, they're gone regardless of anything. Especially that bitch Saffin.

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 9:37pm:

If receipts where provided and the payments sanctioned no crime has been committed....The only adverse decision that can be made is against whom ever sanctioned the payments on the credit card if they breach regulations or if the payments where fraudulent.....If the payments where challenged Thomson would have had to pay the money back.....The guy will away with it because he was allowed to sign off on his expenses and they where not challenged.....Even now if the payments are found to breach any regulations Thomson is not legally responsible!!! It sucks but that is the law!!!

the 'taking secret commissions' aspect however is something completely different. that is clearly and unequivocably illegal and typically would get him a 3-5 year sentence, perhaps more.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4^th, 2012 at 6:09pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:05pm: I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently. If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy. It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't. Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less. I reckon the chick at the head of the HSU does care about the workers. She actually did the right thing and the Labor Party have treated her abysmally. Why exactly is losing the majority and going to the people such a bad thing to them??? It's like 'stay in power at all costs' isn't it?

The woman at the head of the HSU is a power hungry loon that is building her own empire but hit a brick wall as she was moving to her tune and forgot the need to be in harmony with the team around her. Apparently you are in business, imagine what would happen to her in the business world. She would never work in that industry ever again. Don't lecture others for your own sins.

nairbe wrote on Feb 5^th, 2012 at 8:00am:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:09pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:05pm: I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently. If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy. It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't. Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less. I reckon the chick at the head of the HSU does care about the workers. She actually did the right thing and the Labor Party have treated her abysmally. Why exactly is losing the majority and going to the people such a bad thing to them??? It's like 'stay in power at all costs' isn't it? The woman at the head of the HSU is a power hungry loon that is building her own empire but hit a brick wall as she was moving to her tune and forgot the need to be in harmony with the team around her. Apparently you are in business, imagine what would happen to her in the business world. She would never work in that industry ever again. Don't lecture others for your own sins.

Where is your evidence to back your crap up.

progressiveslol wrote on Feb 5^th, 2012 at 8:02am:

nairbe wrote on Feb 5th, 2012 at 8:00am: Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:09pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 4th, 2012 at 6:05pm: I'm not defending the bloke, just saying that just because he's an MP & his demise suits the opp, doesn't automatically mean he should be treated differently. If Labor had a majority we wouldn't even know about this guy. It's all political, don't kid yourself anyone gives a stuff about the members, we might as people but those pushing the adgenda certainly don't. Remember thru workchoices they allowed these workers to lose entitlements and be paid less. I reckon the chick at the head of the HSU does care about the workers. She actually did the right thing and the Labor Party have treated her abysmally. Why exactly is losing the majority and going to the people such a bad thing to them??? It's like 'stay in power at all costs' isn't it? The woman at the head of the HSU is a power hungry loon that is building her own empire but hit a brick wall as she was moving to her tune and forgot the need to be in harmony with the team around her. Apparently you are in business, imagine what would happen to her in the business world. She would never work in that industry ever again. Don't lecture others for your own sins. Where is your evidence to back your crap up.

he wont have any prog.. this is a brainwashed answer to everything..

THOMO is TOPS never did a dishonest thing in his life... and Jackson is just a crazy empire builder...

any sane person c an see that