The New South Wales Independent Commission against Corruption reports into the actions of prominent Labor figures, and well known businessmen, was yesterday tabled in State Parliament. There were no surprises with the findings, both the former Labor Minister Ian (Sir Lunchalot) Macdonald and 20 year parliamentary veteran Eddie (must be obeyed) Obeid have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of criminal charges. Along with the pair of Labor luminaries a number of prominent businessmen have also been referred to the DPP for possible charges, Eddies boy Moses as well as businessmen Travers Duncan, John Kingborn, Richard Poole, John Atkinson, John McGuigan and Ron Medich along with Medich’s former fix it man Lucky Gattellari.
Following the release of these reports what will be the political fallout for Labor, particularly in NSW, and currently, and more importantly at the national level. In the upcoming federal election this must add to the political woes of Kevin Rudd as Labor is contemplating the at loss of a swag of marginal seats in NSW. Such a loss would certainly guarantee victory for The Coalition. It is my opinion that these findings will ride above the general political and policy issues and deliver victory to Abbott.
Naturally Rudd has reacted to the findings with predictable indignation “I’ve been disgusted” as is his local lad, NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson, also disgusted. I think Tony Abbott got it right with his comment “a black day in the history of the Labor Party”. What is inescapable is the fact that all this corruption took place when Labor was in power in NSW. A few federal members have some questions to answer about the whole sorry mess, Bob Carr who as Premier appointed Macdonald a minister, Tony Burke who stayed at Obeids ski lodge, Senator Matt Thistlethwaite, who was assistant NSW general secretary at the time when Obeid was wheedling so much power in the state and is now running in the Sydney seat of Kingsford-Smith, along with would be senator, Sam Dastyari the present State General Secretary, what did he know of Obeid

Paul,

You forgot to mention the standing Labor MP Craig Thomson who in spite of declaring his innocence to the entire parliament, is now not challenging a single one of the charges against him, and is looking at a 5 year jail sentence for fraud and corruption.

Dudd has expressed outrage that so many labor MPs have been caught, and is determined to "fix" labor. His first act being to make it impossible to remove him, and make grandiose statements about NSW labor while apparently doing nothing.

The most important next step for Dudd, is to jet to PNG and have a party with some celebrities at the taxpayers' expense.

Perhaps Kevin Rudd should take over the title of "Sir Lunchalot"

Shadow Minister,

Wrong!

If you're insinuating that Thomson is admitting to the accusations.

That was selectively reported in the media.

Here's his statement:

http://twitdoc.com/view.asp?id=102173&sid=26U5&ext=PDF&lcl=STATEMENT-BY-CRAIG-THOMSON.pdf&usr=DobellThommo&doc=154664867&key=key-iac8ab59kkyiyrrj3l8

There is always anomalies between what was said and what they thought was said. Thomson must have a good chance of getting out of everything. Probably why he says he has done nothing wrong. Obeid and Mcdonald have a long way to go as yet, or are they going to be found guilty by the kangaroo court like Slipper and Thomson.

P,

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/craig-thomson-faces-claim-of-misleading-mps/story-fn59niix-1226686577492

FORMER Labor MP Craig Thomson's claims in parliament that Health Services Union rivals conspired to "set me up with a bunch of hookers" appears at odds with his lawyer's claim there would "very likely" be no dispute over the facts of his alleged abuse of union credit cards.

"As the former HSU national secretary prepares to mount his defence in Melbourne's Magistrates Court, his lengthy speech to parliament in May last year has been referred to the parliament's powerful privileges committee amid allegations he deliberately misled the House of Representatives.

Addressing the court last Friday, Mr Thomson's barrister, Greg James SC, said his client was unlikely to contest evidence he made the controversial purchases, meaning the case is expected to hinge on whether he was entitled to use HSU credit cards for personal expenses."

Thomson is allowed to say whatever he wants outside of court. What counts is what is said in court. That he has not fired nor contradicted his SC means that his defense is going to hinge on a claim that paying for prostitutes was not illegal.

Thomson is not in a financial position to prolong hearings, to shortcut time spent he is asking the court to verify that he was not allowed to spend on his credit card what ever he chose. That has got nothing to do with being guilty of anything.