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Craig Thomson ‘broke his own rules’ by allegedly using union credit cards Craig Thomson ‘broke his own rules’ by allegedly using union credit cards
(35 minutes later)
Former federal MP Craig Thomson broke Health Services Union rules when he allegedly used its credit cards to pay for escorts, movies and personal travel, a court has heard.Former federal MP Craig Thomson broke Health Services Union rules when he allegedly used its credit cards to pay for escorts, movies and personal travel, a court has heard.
Thomson, 49, is facing 145 dishonesty charges over the alleged misuse of more than $28,000 on HSU credit cards while he was the union's national secretary and a Labor MP.Thomson, 49, is facing 145 dishonesty charges over the alleged misuse of more than $28,000 on HSU credit cards while he was the union's national secretary and a Labor MP.
Acting HSU national secretary Chris Brown told the Melbourne magistrates court that the guidelines for expenditure were drafted by Thomson himself in 2003 in an effort to curtail the national secretary's entitlement to "unfettered spending" of funds.Acting HSU national secretary Chris Brown told the Melbourne magistrates court that the guidelines for expenditure were drafted by Thomson himself in 2003 in an effort to curtail the national secretary's entitlement to "unfettered spending" of funds.
Brown said the use of union-issued cards to pay for escorts, personal travel and in-room movies would be against the organisation's rules.Brown said the use of union-issued cards to pay for escorts, personal travel and in-room movies would be against the organisation's rules.
Thomson rarely provided detailed information about the union's finance to the body's national executive, Brown said.Thomson rarely provided detailed information about the union's finance to the body's national executive, Brown said.
Brown said it was only after Thomson left the union to become a member of parliament that the executive obtained copies of his credit card statements.Brown said it was only after Thomson left the union to become a member of parliament that the executive obtained copies of his credit card statements.
"There were regular cash withdrawals from Thomson's MasterCard," Brown said."There were regular cash withdrawals from Thomson's MasterCard," Brown said.
"There were a number of items which at least on face value had nothing to do with the business of the union.""There were a number of items which at least on face value had nothing to do with the business of the union."
The hearing continues. Brown said in early 2008, HSU president Michael Williamson told the national executive that the organisation had debts of about half a million dollars, and that most of the union's financial records were missing.
The hearing was adjourned until 20 January, when it is expected to run for another two weeks.
Williamson has pleaded guilty in NSW to defrauding the HSU of almost $1m and will be sentenced in March.
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