Today in court the case against Craig Thomson weakened, as it would seem that Fair Work Australia backs away from its allegations against the Federal MP.
A judge has decided to adjourn the hearing on virtually all of Fair Work Australia’s civil matters against Thomson, these include allegations around travel, accommodation, meals, cash withdrawls, and of course the allegations of brothel use.
All that remains of the civil matters is the allegations surrounding Thomson’s use of Union funds for the purpose of campaigning for the Federal seat of Dobell. These are claims that Thomson has not denied, in fact was quick to point out that the HSU which was affiliated with the ALP at the time, did indeed provide campaign funds for the seat, as it was one of the seats that the ACTU had indicated as focus electorates for that campaign.
What this means is that FWA does not believe it holds enough evidence to mount a civil suit against Thomson on these matters, and will await the outcome of the criminal proceedings. If Thomson is aquitted in criminal proceedings then the whole matter is dead and buried and no further cases on these issues can be made against Craig Thomson.
Craig and Zoe Thomson- good news at last
The criminal case against Thomson has been dealt a massive blow by this court action today, as the civil proceedings run to a vastly lower standard to criminal proceedings. The chances of Thomson being found guilty of any of these charges in a criminal court can now best be described as remote as there is not even enough evidence to support a civil case.
Thomson’s Barrister, Chris McArdle who attended court today claimed that today’s news “further vindicated his client” and was “Another step towards to total exhoneration of Craig Thomson”
I asked Mr McArdle if this meant a greater chance of defamation cases against Kathy Jackson and some of her Coalition friends, to which he responded “Absolutely”
Bring it on I say….
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Oh Peter i am so glad with this news. I really hope for Craig and Zoe that this is the end of this story for them. i realise the criminal case is still to happen but should end in the same way. Thank you so much for your investigation into this affair! Well done and what a good outcome so far!
Reblogged this on lmrh5.
That is wonderful news, Wixxy, although I do realise it is just the beginning for Craig & his family. Nonetheless it must be a huge relief to them. Do hope it upsets Kathy Jackson while she is busily preparing for her wedding extravaganza. That is what she is doing atm isn’t it? 🙂
Wonder if this will gain a mention in the MSM. Doubt it as it’s the “wrong” type of news for them.
That’s absolutely brilliant. Let’s hope the criminal case is soon resolved in his favour also. Particularly before the election.
Thank you Peter , I have always believed this would happen. Now a investigation into other matters affected by Abbott and his henchmen.
your reporting on this has been excellent and valuable Peter Wicks. I am so disappointed in the Fairfax Media who would have once produced what you have done.
Is Craig still left out of pocket for his own legal expenses regarding the civil case?
Thats the best news for yonks, wonderful for Craig and his family and right up the gunger for Abbott, Bishop and Pyne, you evil hypocritical criminals. Must pop over to ‘The Pub’ shortly and join the team there for a few celebratory pints for Craig and his brilliant legal team.
The apology I really want to see before any others is from Reverend Tim Costello for his comment on Q&A in May, last year! There are plenty of others, of course, but many of them can claim Parliamentary privilege. The Rev Tim certainly can’t as I and thousands of others can attest!
“I Don’t Believe Him! Do You? He’s Guilty!”
“No, I don’t believe him!” said Reverend Tim,
As if weight of judgement lay with him.
Thousands watching shared his thought,
Nationwide jury in a kangaroo court.
Outrage required a penalty paid,
To be decided once a charge was laid.
Meanwhile the rack would do or pillory
Watched by his friends and family.
His accuser, once colleague, is feted,
Whistleblower, congratulated,
With much to gain and nothing to lose
She stars in many media interviews.
She had long sought that in years before,
Has no need now to seek it for sure.
So why have journalists no suspicions
As she’s taken up by politicians?
We need research, more facts on this lady.
Her partner’s role for a judge seems shady.
The public should know if they’ve broken the law.
Isn’t that what a free press is for?
With that Fair Work Report now proven wrong,
Will the media sing a different song?
Are all his critics going to eat crow?
If they follow their leader, the answer is “NO!”
POST SCRIPT 22/08/12 added after the KPMG review of the FWA report
With the Fair Work Report described as ‘deficient’
Will the media at last think that’s proof sufficient?
Wil all of his critics now have to eat crow?
Eric Abetz is leading the field with a very loud, “NO!”
http://polliepomes.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/i-dont-believe-him-do-you-hes-guilty/
This is good news which needs to be spread far and wide.
And David Marr who pursed his lips and whinged like an old virgin prude at a christening.
This is good news.
Looking forward to defamation proceedings against Pyne, Abbott etc.
I have always maintained that this was a stitch up. It is my opinion that it is a conspiracy by Kathy Jackson and Co, in concert with the Coalition and the Murdoch Press.
How mysteriously and uncharacteristically silent Jackson has been of late.
It is my firm opinion that the Thomson case, along with the Slipper case, are both conspiracies to bring down the democratically elected Government of Australia.
Those responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Another great article that we won’t see splashed over any MSM newspaper front pages or 6 or 7 o’clock news programs. Well done again Wixxy. You legend.
Top reporting Peter.
I remember watching QandA on the night both David Marr and Barry Humphries called Craig Thomson a liar. Both men I once admire but turn off that night because of their ‘assumption’.
They BOTH owe him an apology. As well I would like to see a newspaper front page with the editor resembling Pinocchio. Then all is well.
Keep up the good work as you are the only one that told the whole story that I know of.
I knew this man was innocent the moment he fronted the media. Innocent people don’t hide, they fight. They don’t settle out of court. They don’t have to lie. Because their story is the story.
Truth will be the winner here. All the liberal propaganda on this subject will be exposed for the garbage it is.
I can’t wait for Craig’s deformation case against the Pinocchio nose story. Regards WIXXY.
Craig has always claimed his innocence – guilty people cave in and give up the fight because they know they’re guilty! We’re voting for Craig without a doubt this coming election. I can’t wait to see all the published apologies from those who so eagerly ran with the lynch squad lead by Abbott!
I remember that night on Q&A also. And like you DP, my estimation of both men fell instantly.
Great news for Craig and his family.
Now, if only the sh!te would hit the fan on what really went on and all those involved in this dirty affair.
Excellent. The power-hungry animal leading the Opposition has been dealt a killer blow. Hopefully this coiuld also thwart his greedy plans for a no-confidence motion and the ultimate reward for narcissistic greed will be prison. I’m not a Chrsitian and don’t believe in God, but Karma is one all-mighty B****.
Read today’s Federal Court judgment re Thommo
http://www.federalcourt.gov.au/case-management-services/access-to-files-and-transcripts/online-files/fwa-v-thomson …http://www.federalcourt.gov.au/case-management-services/access-to-files-and-transcripts/online-files/fwa-v-thomson
Great news Craig I am just one of your lowly volanteers on election days and have I not had some words with so called friends who do not understand the Westminster system and listen to shock jocks and read News Ltd papers. We Will Overcome. Good luck to you and your Family. Clem.
Oh ! what good news, I don’t know you Craig but I wish you & your wife all the very best —
they tried it with Peter Slipper, then you — anyone else in the line up !@#$%^&*
Cheers, jay jay
Civil Court is expensive – and unnecessary prior to Criminal proceedings. If the Criminal Case falls over you can bet your booties they will proceed with the civil case they have already have waiting as a contingency plan.
The criminal matter is an entirely different kettle of fish, the Police Prosecuter has more resources and powers than FWA and hopefully FWA are just doing the smart thing and waiting for the criminal conviction and let the cops do the leg work. Where there’s smoke there’s fire and I would love to see this scumbags explanation of where the 500,000k went and why we’re all the debits on his credit card marked “Madam Lash”s House of Pleasure”, sorry the “lent the visa card to a friend” excuse doesn’t work unless your friend comes forward and admits he stole the money.
I wonder if this wife will see the light like his first two wives and do a runner.
OMG…..who wrote this dribble, did they read the same JUDGEMENT as I just read, the FWA didn’t decide to discontinue any of the claims, Thomsons lawyers got a stay from the Judge on them being heard BECAUSE proceedings for the same offenses can’t be heard in a civil claim at the same time as they are being tried in a criminal court. In other words the criminal case has right of way over the civil claim. At the moment the only matters being heard in the civil matter are parts of the FWA claim that are not included in the criminal matter. I wish the author would do some homework.
I suggest you read the Judgement link someone added below, the FWA claim still stands in its entirety, just the JUDGE cant hear the parts of the claim that are ALSO being heard in the criminal court at the same time. That’s against the rules.lets hope Thomson gets a quick conviction, he stole from all Union members and spent it on hookers.
This is some really sloppy journalism, one would wonder if the author has a degree. The Criminal Case has not been dealt any blows, either massive ones or minor ones by the Judge of the civil matters suspending hearing parts of the proceedings that are being heard in the criminal court, I believ the judge refered to it as a s312 application by the respondent (Thomson). At least MSM get facts right because they are trained journalists.
Utter crap, if you were right then the whole lot would have been adjourned
The hope was that FWA would not proceed with civil at the same times as criminal but they chose to do just that.
Do your homework before commenting next time
If you can’t prove a matter in civil court you will struggle in criminal court
The facts in my article are just that, facts, whether you like them or not.
I spoke to Chris McArdle regarding the matter who does have a law degree, was there, and may just know a thing or two more than you on the matter
Oh dear, Wixxy. You seem to have attracted the Waynes to this blog post as well. They were predictably & boringly pedantic in your Honor Roll blog post just as they are here.
You don’t need a law degree to read do you, it’s set down in the Judgement here :http://www.federalcourt.gov.au/case-management-services/access-to-files-and-transcripts/online-files/fwa-v-thomson
DO SOME READING.
Everything you said is WRONG, admit it, come on be a man? It’s the Judge who put a hold on the case because of the Criminal Trial, not the FWA. Putting a hold on hearing certain matters in the Civil Court BECAUSE it’s being heard in a Criminal Court doesn’t weaken a case, HOW COULD IT? Hopefully Thomson gets jailed for his thieving then deported back to NZ.
Well it looks like you can get away with anything these days with a bit of cash…Do you think he will go to the brothel to celebrate. If so whose money will he use?
Yeah, didn’t McClymont report $60 cash in account??? Big bucks indeed
How much cash do FWA have at their disposal again?
If a matter doesn’t stack up civilly then it won’t stack up criminally
Like it or not 90% of the matter is going to wait on the criminal case, we will see what happens there.
There were many factors involved in the judges decision
The decision actually went against Thomson, his application was trying to get all counts held in accordance of section 312 of the RO Act, the reason he gave and that’s detailed in the Judgement is that it could prejudice the jury in a criminal trial if they read in the media that he has been found guilty in the Civil Proceedings. He wasn’t able to get a full stay, only those matters that are also before the Criminal court. Here’s the judgement
25 For the above reasons, save with respect to the residue of the allegations in Parts F.2, F.3, F.4 and F.5 of the Statement of Claim not stayed by the operation of s 312 of the RO Act, there will be no order staying any part of this proceeding.
s312 of the RO Act is : 312 Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings
(1) Proceedings for a pecuniary penalty order against a person or organisation are stayed if:
(a) criminal proceedings are started or have already been started against the person or organisation for an offence; and
(b) the offence is constituted by conduct that is substantially the same as the conduct alleged to constitute the contravention.
You see, if Criminal proceedings commence than Civil Proceedings have to be stayed BY LAW. if you bothered to read you would not have put out this rubbish. Tha FWA stopped nothing, the Judge did because it’s the law. UNDERSTAND.
He hasn’t got away with anything, still facing 149 counts in the Criminal Court and when that’s finished it can all go to the a civil a court Regardless of the criminal courts outcome. The Police wouldn’t have made such a public arrest unless they had him cold, the smoking gun as they say. You have to also remember what it written by the author here is so wrong and not what has happened at all.
Okay, I’ll bite. Highly trained MSM journalists have to deliberately get the facts wrong and set out to deceive the public with Murdoch propaganda if they want to pay their mortgage. Alternative and independent media didn’t arise for no reason. It is because the thinking public are hungry for the truth. I think the only thing author may have done wrong, if anything, was to put too much emphasis on the word of a paid to be bias lawyer, who misconstrued how the legal process works to him or her. Unlike Murdoch journalists, the author did not set out to mislead. I had already made the same point about criminal/civil – but far more politely. There was no need for you to prance around as a right wing tosser. If MSM is your bag, hopefully you will spend more of your time there, instead of here.
Good grief, you wouldn’t want Wayne Milton on any jury. He already has found a defendant guilty BEFORE a trial. Now THAT is judgemental in the extreme. Disgraceful & high-handed.
I am not going to debate you all day, I have far more productive things to do with my time.
If you don’t agree with the way the court case went or the outcome, so be it.
If you want to debate the judgement, do what I did, talk to an expert who was there.
Chris McArdles contact details are in the phone book, debate it with him and write your own blog
In fact the case hasn’t weakened at all but has been put off until after the criminal court case is heard, and it was put off at Thomson’s request. If you all remember the criminal case was asked to be put off until after the civil case is heard, again at Thomson’s request, just tactics to delay facing justice and most assuredly not the actions of an innocent man!
If there is no criminal case they can’t go back for a civil case without looking like complete prats.
They are trying on a retrospective fit up over a card that was not governed by any rules.
There is no $500,000 k you scumbag, that was a fantasy dreamed up by the MSM.
He has not been to a brothel you dingbat. He was touring with his wife in Perth when he was supposed to be in the brothel in Sydney, it is a fit up.
OK moron what is he guilty of? Come on you tell us then they can dispense with courts, cops and others and just convict him on your say so.
The fact is this.
THERE WERE NO RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF THE CREDIT CARD. THEY CANNOT BE MADE UP YEARS LATER.
There are two different interpretations of the court decision. One has been made by friends of Craig Thomson and the other by enemies of Craig Thomson. Both sides claim to be objective. I am afraid that I am not in a position to decide which side is right. There is a need for futher debate on this issue.
Great work Peter! This is really good news for Craig and his family….. Funny how there’s not much coverage in the MSM! Look forward to seeing Jackson in court ….. Sooner the better!