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Peter Slipper says coalition MPs should be charged over expenses Peter Slipper says Coalition MPs should be charged over expenses
(6 days later)
Peter Slipper, the disgraced former speaker of the Australian parliament, says it is a double standard for him to be facing charges of misusing taxpayer-funded cab dockets when other MPs have been allowed to pay back travel entitlements they wrongly claimed.Peter Slipper, the disgraced former speaker of the Australian parliament, says it is a double standard for him to be facing charges of misusing taxpayer-funded cab dockets when other MPs have been allowed to pay back travel entitlements they wrongly claimed.
Recent revelations include senior figures in the new coalition government claiming travel allowances for attending weddings, as well as Tony Abbott, the incoming prime minister, getting taxpayers to cover his flights and accommodation when he entered various sporting events.Recent revelations include senior figures in the new coalition government claiming travel allowances for attending weddings, as well as Tony Abbott, the incoming prime minister, getting taxpayers to cover his flights and accommodation when he entered various sporting events.
A number of MPs have since paid back money.A number of MPs have since paid back money.
"I think that either the charges against me should be dropped or everyone else should be charged," Slipper told ABC TV on Sunday."I think that either the charges against me should be dropped or everyone else should be charged," Slipper told ABC TV on Sunday.
"There's a double standard here.""There's a double standard here."
An emotional Slipper claimed the stress of a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him by former staffer James Ashby cost his wife, Inge-Jane Hall, a chance at motherhood. She had abandoned IVF treatment following the "politically motivated allegations".An emotional Slipper claimed the stress of a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him by former staffer James Ashby cost his wife, Inge-Jane Hall, a chance at motherhood. She had abandoned IVF treatment following the "politically motivated allegations".
"Inge was just getting to a situation where she felt her state of mind was such that she could go through that traumatic process [IVF] again, then all of a sudden Ashbygate descended," he said."Inge was just getting to a situation where she felt her state of mind was such that she could go through that traumatic process [IVF] again, then all of a sudden Ashbygate descended," he said.
"She now feels that [the case] cost her the opportunity to be a mother.""She now feels that [the case] cost her the opportunity to be a mother."
Slipper said his life had been destroyed by the "conspiracy" against him. "There's no doubt in my view that Ashbygate reaches to the highest level of the Liberal party," he said.Slipper said his life had been destroyed by the "conspiracy" against him. "There's no doubt in my view that Ashbygate reaches to the highest level of the Liberal party," he said.
"It was part of a plot to not only destroy my speakership, political career, but also bring down the newly elected government of Australia.""It was part of a plot to not only destroy my speakership, political career, but also bring down the newly elected government of Australia."
Federal court Judge Steven Rares ruled in December that Ashby had "pursued a political attack" against his former boss, "in combination" with others including Mal Brough, who was a minister under former prime minister John Howard.Federal court Judge Steven Rares ruled in December that Ashby had "pursued a political attack" against his former boss, "in combination" with others including Mal Brough, who was a minister under former prime minister John Howard.
Brough denies any wrongdoing. He ousted Slipper from parliament in the September federal election, winning the seat of Fisher on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.Brough denies any wrongdoing. He ousted Slipper from parliament in the September federal election, winning the seat of Fisher on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Slipper has pleaded not guilty to charges arising from his use of a government Cabcharge card for a tour of wineries in the Canberra area.Slipper has pleaded not guilty to charges arising from his use of a government Cabcharge card for a tour of wineries in the Canberra area.
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