And where was their rush to ensure that a Liberal Senator stood aside when accused of shoplifting and assault, and was subsequently found GUILTY of assault, with no conviction recorded.

The hypocrisy of Abbott and Co is absolutely gobsmacking.

Abuse of expenses seems thin on the ground. He was seen giving multiple cab-charge chits to a driver on 2 occasions. This was at a time when he was entertaining foreign digs; What it doesn't say is what the car was doing after Slipper and one other person got out.
If there was multiple conveyance jobs done, on behalf of the foreign digs; The driver would be entitled to multiple chits.
Slipper says the allegation of fraud is not correct.

The staffer allegations of sexual misconduct, seems somewhat convenient, that only now it comes to life. It's not a crime to ask; Given the age difference, i say the younger bloke would have had the upper hand.
No doubt this week will shed more light on the allegations.
Parliament doesn't sit till around the may 10 mark, so it could be another faulty allegation of dire desperation from the the head monk.

Liberal senator story
- http://www.theage.com.au/national/senator-guilty-of-assault--but-in-clear-on-shoplifting-20111118-1nlxn.html
and another view
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/liberal-senator-mary-jo-fisher-arrested-for-shoplifting-assault/story-fn7q4q9f-1226100044518

Nothing I've read of Abbott's response suggests any desire for a cover up or delaying the processes. He's supported another member of the Liberal party who was going through a known rough time without as afr as I can see trying to deny or cover up events.

A world of difference between the circumstances around Mary Jo Fisher and Abbott's actions and the allegations against Craig Thompson and Peter Slipper and what I've seen of the governments handling of the Thompson case (a bit early for to have an opinion yet on how the handle things regarding Slipper).

I wasn't party to the detail at the time but it was fairly well publicised at the time Slipper left the Libs and took the speakers position that the Libs had been trying to deal with some serious concerns over his actions.

It may be political, it may be convenient but it may also be a genuine case of someone abusing a position of power with actions that most of us would be in trouble for in the workplace.

R0bert

Slipper may well be guilty.
He has done the right thing stepping aside.
An ex Liberal, more than one in sider from that side of the house says he was known for a problem in 2003.
Yet nominated as a candidate twice more.
His accuser, to A ex Liberal, sacked recently after miss behaving, in protecting Slipper, I am amused.
Liberals hid the faults of one, if they exist,and wanted the other sacked.
As for calling an election? Butcher lets not destroy the democratic process ok.
Any one concerned about 9 years of execpting this man by Liberals?

Slipper says the fraud allegation will be cleared up.
The other allegation is a civil matter and will be dealt with in the court.
All Butch wants, is somehow to link it to the carbon tax.

Dear SM,

A minor correction: -

As far as I know Mr Slipper has not joined the Labor
Party. He would have stayed in the Liberal Party -
however Mr Abbott simply wouldn't have him in the
Liberal Party after Mr Slipper applied for the job that he
wanted - that of Speaker. I believe that Mr Slipper
is now an Independent.

As far as the charges against Mr Slipper are concerned.
I am sure that the truth will come out. As the Prime
Minister said today - Mr Slipper is right to have
stepped aside while an investigation proceeds - and we
all should respect his right to due process.