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Craig Thomson case to be heard at magistrates court Craig Thomson case to be heard at magistrates court
(2 months later)
Federal independent MP Craig Thomson will not face a judge and jury over allegations he misused union funds on pornography and prostitutes.Federal independent MP Craig Thomson will not face a judge and jury over allegations he misused union funds on pornography and prostitutes.
His 173 fraud-related charges will now be heard in the Melbourne magistrates court, where he could not be jailed for longer than five years if found guilty.His 173 fraud-related charges will now be heard in the Melbourne magistrates court, where he could not be jailed for longer than five years if found guilty.
Magistrate Charles Rozencwajg said the Melbourne magistrates court was able to appropriately deal with the case.Magistrate Charles Rozencwajg said the Melbourne magistrates court was able to appropriately deal with the case.
"I do not regard this case as complex," he said."I do not regard this case as complex," he said.
"This court is more than capable of dealing with this matter in a competent and appropriate manner.""This court is more than capable of dealing with this matter in a competent and appropriate manner."
Crown prosecutor Kieran Gilligan told the court the alleged offending occurred over five years while Thomson was the national secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU) and continued while he was elected to parliament.Crown prosecutor Kieran Gilligan told the court the alleged offending occurred over five years while Thomson was the national secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU) and continued while he was elected to parliament.
Thomson is accused of misusing HSU credit cards 49 times on a total of around $28,000 on pornographic films, female escorts, cigarettes, cash withdrawals, hotels and food.Thomson is accused of misusing HSU credit cards 49 times on a total of around $28,000 on pornographic films, female escorts, cigarettes, cash withdrawals, hotels and food.
Gilligan said Thomson allegedly used the card for personal use about 10 times after he was elected to parliament.Gilligan said Thomson allegedly used the card for personal use about 10 times after he was elected to parliament.
Gilligan had argued that the matter was too big and complex to be heard before a magistrate.Gilligan had argued that the matter was too big and complex to be heard before a magistrate.
He said the fact the offending represented a breach of trust aggravated the charges, which he agreed could technically fall into the jurisdiction of a magistrates court.He said the fact the offending represented a breach of trust aggravated the charges, which he agreed could technically fall into the jurisdiction of a magistrates court.
"The accused was the national secretary of a national union in a position of trust and subsequently a member of parliament," Gilligan told the court on Friday."The accused was the national secretary of a national union in a position of trust and subsequently a member of parliament," Gilligan told the court on Friday.
Thomson's lawyer Greg James QC said there was likely to be little debate on the factual matters in the case but questions would be raised over his authority to use the cards.Thomson's lawyer Greg James QC said there was likely to be little debate on the factual matters in the case but questions would be raised over his authority to use the cards.
He said the charges fell into the "day to day stuff" of magistrates courts.He said the charges fell into the "day to day stuff" of magistrates courts.
The matter will return to court for mention on 16 August.The matter will return to court for mention on 16 August.
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