www.heraldsun.com.au/news/audit-questions-prostitutes-cash/story-e6frf7jo-1226284473246

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.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tmomson-someone-else-used-money/story-e6frf7l6-1226123316189

Accusations are one thing Macca......Proving anything and taking it to court is another.....If this bloke was not holding up a minority Government I doubt the money would have mattered to anyone and I doubt Labor would have supported him.....Even if he is charged it will take years before he is convicted of anything.....It is a waste of time and money if the Coalition think it will bring down the Gillard Government.....Thompson will be long gone from Parliament before this issue is resolved one way or the other!!!


I'll prove I didn't use union cash for prostitutes, Craig Thomson tells lawyers

EMBATTLED Labor MP Craig Thomson claimed to have "travel documents and witness statements" to prove he was not the person using union money to pay for prostitutes.

Mr Thomson told lawyers investigating the allegations he used union funds to pay for prostitutes that he had "independent flight records" that would clear him and it was "impossible" he took $100,000 to bankroll his election campaign.

It is believed he used the same defence with ALP officials and Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who says she has full confidence in the marginal seat MP.

In a letter seen by the Herald Sun dated May 1, 2009, Mr Thomson says he was "not the only holder of a card" that had access to the Health Services Union bank account and "all national office staff" had access.

It's the most detailed defence by Mr Thomson, who has declined to make the same statements in Parliament about the scandal that has rocked Labor.

Mr Thomson's letter to Slater & Gordon came a month after the allegations were published by Fairfax Media. He sued but then settled and paid costs.

On the allegation he spent $330 at a Sydney escort service called Aboutoun Catering on February 26, 2003, Mr Thomson wrote that he was in Perth between February 21 and 27.

He insisted he was in Melbourne on April 9, 2005, when $2475 was spent at Sydney escort services Keywed and $418 at Sydney's Nolta Pty Ltd on June 11, 2005.

"Travel documents and witness statements will verify this fact," he wrote.

But some statements in the letter appear to be at odds with court records.

Ms Gillard said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was trying to "bully authorities" when he criticised Fair Work Australia for taking "one hell of a long time" to investigate.

She hit back at reports her chief of staff, Ben Hubbard, called the industrial umpire about Mr Thomson. Labor said the call was made after the story became public.

"For a chief of staff to check a fact with a public servant is an unremarkable event," the PM said.

But the former registrar, Doug Williams, last night stood by his comment that the first time he heard from Mr Hubbard about Mr Thomson was in the early months of 2009, before the story was made public.

The latest revelations come as Fairfax Media reported that financial records linked to the time Mr Thomson was head of the Health Services Union are missing.

Both Fair Work Australia and an auditor have failed to track down documents for periods between 2002 to 2007 when Mr Thomson occupied the top job at the HSU.

HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson has told The Age lots of records have disappeared but there's no obvious reason.

An audit in 2008 revealed Mr Thomson continued using his union mobile phone and credit card after he resigned from the HSU and took up his position as a member of parliament after Labor swept to power in 2007.

The audit found the lack pf paperwork for many transactions has made it difficult to work out where union money has gone.

:-X :-X :-X

A number of interesting points made here.

One is that fair work have been dragging the chain - but it is only normal for a private investigation to take as long?

The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000.

It looks like the investigation has confirmed that he had not spent money on prostitutes but is asking why he failed to pick up the discrepancy.

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.

I would think the the vast majority of investigations cost substantially more at the start of the process where the set up costs and original investigations are conducted.

The later in the process lower volume follow up work is done as required - not a surprise that the bulk of the work occured early in the process.

The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000.

The 2009 audit

Isn't it 2012 now?

Like all company credit cards that have been used for personal use the money was quickly paid back.
If he didnt do anything illegal Im starting to wonder if its the only trick the opposition have up their sleeves and use it to destract from their lack of policies and ideas.

adelcrow wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 6:39am:

Like all company credit cards that have been used for personal use the money was quickly paid back. If he didnt do anything illegal Im starting to wonder if its the only trick the opposition have up their sleeves and use it to destract from their lack of policies and ideas.

They don't need policies, they need a trick. This is a good trick. They should stick with it. That's all they need and they're on a winner. Just say THOMO every second sentence and they've got it wrapped up. They could alternate between that and NO.

Yep, Tony is the man and I'm throwing in the towel. If they stick with Tony and forget about policies then Labor is done for. Doomed!

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 12:15am:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tmomson-someone-else-used-money/story-e6frf7l6-1226123316189 Accusations are one thing Macca......Proving anything and taking it to court is another.....If this bloke was not holding up a minority Government I doubt the money would have mattered to anyone and I doubt Labor would have supported him.....Even if he is charged it will take years before he is convicted of anything.....It is a waste of time and money if the Coalition think it will bring down the Gillard Government.....Thompson will be long gone from Parliament before this issue is resolved one way or the other!!! I'll prove I didn't use union cash for prostitutes, Craig Thomson tells lawyers EMBATTLED Labor MP Craig Thomson claimed to have "travel documents and witness statements" to prove he was not the person using union money to pay for prostitutes. Mr Thomson told lawyers investigating the allegations he used union funds to pay for prostitutes that he had "independent flight records" that would clear him and it was "impossible" he took $100,000 to bankroll his election campaign. It is believed he used the same defence with ALP officials and Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who says she has full confidence in the marginal seat MP. In a letter seen by the Herald Sun dated May 1, 2009, Mr Thomson says he was "not the only holder of a card" that had access to the Health Services Union bank account and "all national office staff" had access. It's the most detailed defence by Mr Thomson, who has declined to make the same statements in Parliament about the scandal that has rocked Labor. Mr Thomson's letter to Slater & Gordon came a month after the allegations were published by Fairfax Media. He sued but then settled and paid costs. On the allegation he spent $330 at a Sydney escort service called Aboutoun Catering on February 26, 2003, Mr Thomson wrote that he was in Perth between February 21 and 27. He insisted he was in Melbourne on April 9, 2005, when $2475 was spent at Sydney escort services Keywed and $418 at Sydney's Nolta Pty Ltd on June 11, 2005. "Travel documents and witness statements will verify this fact," he wrote. But some statements in the letter appear to be at odds with court records. Ms Gillard said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was trying to "bully authorities" when he criticised Fair Work Australia for taking "one hell of a long time" to investigate. She hit back at reports her chief of staff, Ben Hubbard, called the industrial umpire about Mr Thomson. Labor said the call was made after the story became public. "For a chief of staff to check a fact with a public servant is an unremarkable event," the PM said. But the former registrar, Doug Williams, last night stood by his comment that the first time he heard from Mr Hubbard about Mr Thomson was in the early months of 2009, before the story was made public. The latest revelations come as Fairfax Media reported that financial records linked to the time Mr Thomson was head of the Health Services Union are missing. Both Fair Work Australia and an auditor have failed to track down documents for periods between 2002 to 2007 when Mr Thomson occupied the top job at the HSU. HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson has told The Age lots of records have disappeared but there's no obvious reason. An audit in 2008 revealed Mr Thomson continued using his union mobile phone and credit card after he resigned from the HSU and took up his position as a member of parliament after Labor swept to power in 2007. The audit found the lack pf paperwork for many transactions has made it difficult to work out where union money has gone. :-X :-X :-X

phil I would go along with all this.... if this wasnt taking so looooooong...

if I had all this proof I would be standing up in parliament waving it around.. no one would doubt it..

it also doesnt explain why he withdrew his litigation with the SMH... they accuse him of using the credit card for prostitutes in the first place....

why did he withdraw and therefore have to pay their court costs????????

with money he didnt have..


the is so much that is weird about all this..

it seems to me FAIRWORK have bent over backwards to disappear this case.. WHY..

why did he not question $5000 worth of prostitute work on his credit card he didnt make..???


why did he not report his credit card stolen???

along with his mobil phone as that is what was used for making the bookings???..

I am all for this being sorted and sorted properly not to keep the govt above water...


as we know this will be used in the future to save other pollies that do the wrong thing...

I am sure this gentleman has a lot of answers my god he has had enough time to think them all up..

documents missing another shreddergate... wouldnt you know it.

we have to be cynical it smacks of corruption.

Gist wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 8:16am:

adelcrow wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 6:39am: Like all company credit cards that have been used for personal use the money was quickly paid back. If he didnt do anything illegal Im starting to wonder if its the only trick the opposition have up their sleeves and use it to destract from their lack of policies and ideas. They don't need policies, they need a trick. This is a good trick. They should stick with it. That's all they need and they're on a winner. Just say THOMO every second sentence and they've got it wrapped up. They could alternate between that and NO. Yep, Tony is the man and I'm throwing in the towel. If they stick with Tony and forget about policies then Labor is done for. Doomed!

fair enough... and if THOMO wasnt part of the Howard govt.. you wouldnt do the same...


sorry if I dont believe that..


I take it you couldnt careless if this mongrel did all he is accused of doing.. good luck to him you are probably saying... fair enough


dont forget this govt was warned about preselecting him by their own kind.

you dont do that unless there is smoke do you?

BUMP

Quite honestly this Thommo thing is just a constant repeating of the same old thing.
Go to any organisation where credit cards are issued to employees and you will find paying back the personal use of those cards is not uncommon.
Like most people I dont buy his excuses but the money was not embezzled. He admitted the card was used for personal use whether it was by him or another employee and the money was quickly paid back, the very same thing that happens in many businesses across the world every day of the week.

This could have been put to bed 2.5 years ago.

I dont have an opinion on Thompson.

I do have grave concerns over the integrity of FWA.

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 12:15am:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tmomson-someone-else-used-money/story-e6frf7l6-1226123316189 Accusations are one thing Macca......Proving anything and taking it to court is another.....If this bloke was not holding up a minority Government I doubt the money would have mattered to anyone and I doubt Labor would have supported him.....Even if he is charged it will take years before he is convicted of anything.....It is a waste of time and money if the Coalition think it will bring down the Gillard Government.....Thompson will be long gone from Parliament before this issue is resolved one way or the other!!!

The 120 pages audit report was quite clear

>>> $100,000 cash advances

>>> 19 flights for his wife

>>> Expenditures on prostitutes on 7 different occasions totaling $5000


So your comment about $105,000 plus the 19 flights for his wife is trifle is another attempt at defending the indefensible

Maqqa wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 9:07am:

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 12:15am: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tmomson-someone-else-used-money/story-e6frf7l6-1226123316189 Accusations are one thing Macca......Proving anything and taking it to court is another.....If this bloke was not holding up a minority Government I doubt the money would have mattered to anyone and I doubt Labor would have supported him.....Even if he is charged it will take years before he is convicted of anything.....It is a waste of time and money if the Coalition think it will bring down the Gillard Government.....Thompson will be long gone from Parliament before this issue is resolved one way or the other!!! The 120 pages audit report was quite clear >>> $100,000 cash advances >>> 19 flights for his wife >>> Expenditures on prostitutes on 7 different occasions totaling $5000 So your comment about $105,000 plus the 19 flights for his wife is trifle is another attempt at defending the indefensible

It sounds like nothing was hidden and all money spent for his private use was paid back.
Maqqa..again I can only assume you have never had a business credit card and used it to travel interstate and internationally, to entertain clients etc for your work.
You really need to get into the real world of business instead of taking the oppositions word on how things are done.

Maqqa wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 9:07am:

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 12:15am: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tmomson-someone-else-used-money/story-e6frf7l6-1226123316189 Accusations are one thing Macca......Proving anything and taking it to court is another.....If this bloke was not holding up a minority Government I doubt the money would have mattered to anyone and I doubt Labor would have supported him.....Even if he is charged it will take years before he is convicted of anything.....It is a waste of time and money if the Coalition think it will bring down the Gillard Government.....Thompson will be long gone from Parliament before this issue is resolved one way or the other!!! The 120 pages audit report was quite clear >>> $100,000 cash advances >>> 19 flights for his wife >>> Expenditures on prostitutes on 7 different occasions totaling $5000 So your comment about $105,000 plus the 19 flights for his wife is trifle is another attempt at defending the indefensible

Who is defending Thompson.....I have made a point and do not expect you to accept it as usual.....I did not comment about the $105,000 or the 19 flights for his wife.....My point is if he is charged it will take years to convict him and the whole thing is politically motivated from both sides for self interest nothing else.....How is that defending anyone mate.....I have made my point!!!

::) ::) ::)

adelcrow wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 6:39am:

Like all company credit cards that have been used for personal use the money was quickly paid back. If he didnt do anything illegal Im starting to wonder if its the only trick the opposition have up their sleeves and use it to destract from their lack of policies and ideas.

AFTER he was caught - not before.

Dnarever wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 6:17am:

A number of interesting points made here. One is that fair work have been dragging the chain - but it is only normal for a private investigation to take as long? The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000. It looks like the investigation has confirmed that he had not spent money on prostitutes but is asking why he failed to pick up the discrepancy. 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. I would think the the vast majority of investigations cost substantially more at the start of the process where the set up costs and original investigations are conducted. The later in the process lower volume follow up work is done as required - not a surprise that the bulk of the work occured early in the process. The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000. The 2009 audit Isn't it 2012 now?

dont you feel a little uncomfortable spending so much time and effort trying to convince yourself that Thomson has done nothing wrong? Some of your arguments stretch credulity and are frankly. naive.

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 10:29am:

Dnarever wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 6:17am: A number of interesting points made here. One is that fair work have been dragging the chain - but it is only normal for a private investigation to take as long? The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000. It looks like the investigation has confirmed that he had not spent money on prostitutes but is asking why he failed to pick up the discrepancy. 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. I would think the the vast majority of investigations cost substantially more at the start of the process where the set up costs and original investigations are conducted. The later in the process lower volume follow up work is done as required - not a surprise that the bulk of the work occured early in the process. The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000. The 2009 audit Isn't it 2012 now? dont you feel a little uncomfortable spending so much time and effort trying to convince yourself that Thomson has done nothing wrong? Some of your arguments stretch credulity and are frankly. naive.

They might need to bring out the hookers and interview them.
I'm sure Thommo has nothing to hide. :)

adelcrow wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 9:21am:

Maqqa wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 9:07am: philperth2010 wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 12:15am: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tmomson-someone-else-used-money/story-e6frf7l6-1226123316189 Accusations are one thing Macca......Proving anything and taking it to court is another.....If this bloke was not holding up a minority Government I doubt the money would have mattered to anyone and I doubt Labor would have supported him.....Even if he is charged it will take years before he is convicted of anything.....It is a waste of time and money if the Coalition think it will bring down the Gillard Government.....Thompson will be long gone from Parliament before this issue is resolved one way or the other!!! The 120 pages audit report was quite clear >>> $100,000 cash advances >>> 19 flights for his wife >>> Expenditures on prostitutes on 7 different occasions totaling $5000 So your comment about $105,000 plus the 19 flights for his wife is trifle is another attempt at defending the indefensible It sounds like nothing was hidden and all money spent for his private use was paid back. Maqqa..again I can only assume you have never had a business credit card and used it to travel interstate and internationally, to entertain clients etc for your work. You really need to get into the real world of business instead of taking the oppositions word on how things are done.

Mate I have a Corporate Amex which is paid by my employer, one of the 5 biggest companies in the world.

If I had used it in this manner, I would have been dismissed without reservation.

Using a credit to withdraw cash??
One of the biggest no-no's in corporate card policy - how do you track cash??? You can't!

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 10:31am:

adelcrow wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 9:21am: Maqqa wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 9:07am: philperth2010 wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 12:15am: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tmomson-someone-else-used-money/story-e6frf7l6-1226123316189 Accusations are one thing Macca......Proving anything and taking it to court is another.....If this bloke was not holding up a minority Government I doubt the money would have mattered to anyone and I doubt Labor would have supported him.....Even if he is charged it will take years before he is convicted of anything.....It is a waste of time and money if the Coalition think it will bring down the Gillard Government.....Thompson will be long gone from Parliament before this issue is resolved one way or the other!!! The 120 pages audit report was quite clear >>> $100,000 cash advances >>> 19 flights for his wife >>> Expenditures on prostitutes on 7 different occasions totaling $5000 So your comment about $105,000 plus the 19 flights for his wife is trifle is another attempt at defending the indefensible It sounds like nothing was hidden and all money spent for his private use was paid back. Maqqa..again I can only assume you have never had a business credit card and used it to travel interstate and internationally, to entertain clients etc for your work. You really need to get into the real world of business instead of taking the oppositions word on how things are done. Mate I have a Corporate Amex which is paid by my employer, one of the 5 biggest companies in the world. If I had used it in this manner, I would have been dismissed without reservation. Using a credit to withdraw cash?? One of the biggest no-no's in corporate card policy - how do you track cash??? You can't!

Correct!!

No company would allow a "Cash Advance" on a corporate card

So adel's question whether I have a business or not shows adel's level of business acumen

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 10:31am:

Mate I have a Corporate Amex which is paid by my employer, one of the 5 biggest companies in the world. If I had used it in this manner, I would have been dismissed without reservation. Using a credit to withdraw cash?? One of the biggest no-no's in corporate card policy - how do you track cash??? You can't!

Then your employer is as stupid as you are. Which is a lot. My corporate Amex is my problem. If I make personal purchases on it (which I have, by mistake) then that's my problem. The company will only pay Amex for genuine expenses for which I've submitted proper invoices. The rest is between me and Amex.

Maqqa wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 11:12am:

Correct!! No company would allow a "Cash Advance" on a corporate card So adel's question whether I have a business or not shows adel's level of business acumen

Refer my comments relating to Andrei and stupid.

bump

Gist wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 11:15am:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 10:31am: Mate I have a Corporate Amex which is paid by my employer, one of the 5 biggest companies in the world. If I had used it in this manner, I would have been dismissed without reservation. Using a credit to withdraw cash?? One of the biggest no-no's in corporate card policy - how do you track cash??? You can't! Then your employer is as stupid as you are. Which is a lot. My corporate Amex is my problem. If I make personal purchases on it (which I have, by mistake) then that's my problem. The company will only pay Amex for genuine expenses for which I've submitted proper invoices. The rest is between me and Amex.

Every company Ive worked for the company credit cards are the employers problem, not the employees when it comes to paying.

You must have a different structure to the one Ive typically seen.

didnt THOMO try to claim at one stage that he had paid back something like $15000 to the union and it turned out it was someone else who had claimed for a pay increase he wasnt entitled too that had paid the money back....ha.ha. something like that..
THOMO is a real snake in the grass I bet he has more lives than a cat.

Maqqa wrote on Feb 28^th, 2012 at 11:59pm:

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. Mr Thomson withdrew cash advances of $100,000 in his five years as HSU national secretary, the audit shows. He denies paying for the prostitutes but the audit team questions how he could have allowed seven transactions involving adult services to slip through. Last night, Mr Thomson said: "I deny any wrongdoing. I have fully co-operated with police and Fair Work Australia."

All very understandable. Mr Thomson's transgressions are merely solid training exercises. A person must complete acts such as the above in order to enter politics.

Verge wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 11:54am:

Gist wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 11:15am: Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 10:31am: Mate I have a Corporate Amex which is paid by my employer, one of the 5 biggest companies in the world. If I had used it in this manner, I would have been dismissed without reservation. Using a credit to withdraw cash?? One of the biggest no-no's in corporate card policy - how do you track cash??? You can't! Then your employer is as stupid as you are. Which is a lot. My corporate Amex is my problem. If I make personal purchases on it (which I have, by mistake) then that's my problem. The company will only pay Amex for genuine expenses for which I've submitted proper invoices. The rest is between me and Amex. Every company Ive worked for the company credit cards are the employers problem, not the employees when it comes to paying. You must have a different structure to the one Ive typically seen.

Oh the company pays the bill alright but the statement is sent to both me and the company. I don't need to do anything other than front up with the correct invoices in time for them to make the payment by the due date. If I don't then the company doesn't pay Amex. If Amex whacks a late fee on the card then that's my problem, the company won't cover that unless I can show that it was somehow the company's fault. Any expenses on the card that I can't provide valid invoices for are my problem unless I can substantiate somehow that it was a valid expense. Fraudulent charges (eg stolen cards) remain Amex's problem as usual.

What kind of card was Thompson using? Specifically, what were the terms and conditions?

adelcrow wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 6:39am:

Like all company credit cards that have been used for personal use the money was quickly paid back. If he didnt do anything illegal Im starting to wonder if its the only trick the opposition have up their sleeves and use it to destract from their lack of policies and ideas.

MOMENTUM has a habit of changing!

Just as the faceless men mantra has all of a sudden reversed into the useless men mantra!

THE TRUTH LIKES TO REVEAL ITSELF....

chicken_lipsforme wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 10:31am:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 10:29am: Dnarever wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 6:17am: A number of interesting points made here. One is that fair work have been dragging the chain - but it is only normal for a private investigation to take as long? The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000. It looks like the investigation has confirmed that he had not spent money on prostitutes but is asking why he failed to pick up the discrepancy. 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. I would think the the vast majority of investigations cost substantially more at the start of the process where the set up costs and original investigations are conducted. The later in the process lower volume follow up work is done as required - not a surprise that the bulk of the work occured early in the process. The 2009 audit reveals Mr Thomson failed to question seven credit card transactions for adult services totalling $5000. The 2009 audit Isn't it 2012 now? dont you feel a little uncomfortable spending so much time and effort trying to convince yourself that Thomson has done nothing wrong? Some of your arguments stretch credulity and are frankly. naive. They might need to bring out the hookers and interview them. I'm sure Thommo has nothing to hide. :)

slaves have no choices!!!!  :-* :-* :-*  :-[

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:23
Today at Senate Estimates, the Australian Government Solicitor confirmed that its legal bill for Fair Work Australia’s Health Services Union and Craig Thomson inquiry was $912,000 and will soon blow out beyond $1 million.

This is on top of the $100,000 FWA has paid out in accountancy fees.

Senator Abetz said that this inquiry had turned into an expensive “lawyers picnic” and Fair Work Australia needed to explain these huge taxpayer funded bills.

When Fair Work Australia appears at Senate Estimates tomorrow morning I will be pursuing this and other issues.



that doesnt include the police inquiry costs

cods wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:21pm:

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:23 Today at Senate Estimates, the Australian Government Solicitor confirmed that its legal bill for Fair Work Australia’s Health Services Union and Craig Thomson inquiry was $912,000 and will soon blow out beyond $1 million. This is on top of the $100,000 FWA has paid out in accountancy fees. Senator Abetz said that this inquiry had turned into an expensive “lawyers picnic” and Fair Work Australia needed to explain these huge taxpayer funded bills. When Fair Work Australia appears at Senate Estimates tomorrow morning I will be pursuing this and other issues. that doesnt include the police inquiry costs

And all they had to do was accept that like a lot of people with business credit cards Thomson used the credit card for his own use and then paid the money back but because of Abbott we've wasted more than a million dollars on it.
Good one phoney Tony

cods wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:21pm:

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:23 Today at Senate Estimates, the Australian Government Solicitor confirmed that its legal bill for Fair Work Australia’s Health Services Union and Craig Thomson inquiry was $912,000 and will soon blow out beyond $1 million. This is on top of the $100,000 FWA has paid out in accountancy fees. Senator Abetz said that this inquiry had turned into an expensive “lawyers picnic” and Fair Work Australia needed to explain these huge taxpayer funded bills. When Fair Work Australia appears at Senate Estimates tomorrow morning I will be pursuing this and other issues. that doesnt include the police inquiry costs

you know cods

I am not ask angry at the politicians than I am at the voters who voted for them

anyone who voted for the ALP or Greens are personally responsible for the wastage

we told them the left was no good and they still voted

4 years on and all they have to comfort themselves is to cling onto the fallacy that the Coalition is somehow responsible for this

adelcrow wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:27pm:

cods wrote on Mar 1st, 2012 at 3:21pm: Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:23 Today at Senate Estimates, the Australian Government Solicitor confirmed that its legal bill for Fair Work Australia’s Health Services Union and Craig Thomson inquiry was $912,000 and will soon blow out beyond $1 million. This is on top of the $100,000 FWA has paid out in accountancy fees. Senator Abetz said that this inquiry had turned into an expensive “lawyers picnic” and Fair Work Australia needed to explain these huge taxpayer funded bills. When Fair Work Australia appears at Senate Estimates tomorrow morning I will be pursuing this and other issues. that doesnt include the police inquiry costs And all they had to do was accept that like a lot of people with business credit cards Thomson used the credit card for his own use and then paid the money back but because of Abbott we've wasted more than a million dollars on it. Good one phoney Tony

there's a corporate governance which Thompson has broken

you wouldn't know about it because you've never run a business like this before

Gist wrote on Feb 29^th, 2012 at 11:15am:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 29th, 2012 at 10:31am: Mate I have a Corporate Amex which is paid by my employer, one of the 5 biggest companies in the world. If I had used it in this manner, I would have been dismissed without reservation. Using a credit to withdraw cash?? One of the biggest no-no's in corporate card policy - how do you track cash??? You can't! Then your employer is as stupid as you are. Which is a lot. My corporate Amex is my problem. If I make personal purchases on it (which I have, by mistake) then that's my problem. The company will only pay Amex for genuine expenses for which I've submitted proper invoices. The rest is between me and Amex.

If whatyoua re saying is tru (and I have my doubts) then your company is different from others. most totalyl ban the use of the corporate card for ANYTHING other than coporate business.

and it was after all $105000 for hookers and cash advances - not $36 for a meal. And the money wasnt paid back until after he left the job. There is nothing even remotely legit about this.

adelcrow wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:27pm:

cods wrote on Mar 1st, 2012 at 3:21pm: Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:23 Today at Senate Estimates, the Australian Government Solicitor confirmed that its legal bill for Fair Work Australia’s Health Services Union and Craig Thomson inquiry was $912,000 and will soon blow out beyond $1 million. This is on top of the $100,000 FWA has paid out in accountancy fees. Senator Abetz said that this inquiry had turned into an expensive “lawyers picnic” and Fair Work Australia needed to explain these huge taxpayer funded bills. When Fair Work Australia appears at Senate Estimates tomorrow morning I will be pursuing this and other issues. that doesnt include the police inquiry costs And all they had to do was accept that like a lot of people with business credit cards Thomson used the credit card for his own use and then paid the money back but because of Abbott we've wasted more than a million dollars on it. Good one phoney Tony

I think you could defend murder if it were done by a labor MP. Tell me Im wrong.