Government accused of interfering in Thomson investigation
The Gillard government is facing new claims of interfering with the investigation into the Craig Thomson's credit card misuse claims, 7News reports.
New documents show a Labor ministerial adviser contacted Fair Work Australia discussing a 7News report revealing exclusive details into the Thomson affair.
Today Health Union President Kathy Jackson joined Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in suggesting the government is interfering into Fair Work Australia's investigation into allegations against Thomson.
Tonight 7News revealed email correspondence that has been published on Fair Work Australia's website.
The email messages show an exchange between Rhys Davies and Judy Hughes following August 18 allegations made against Thomson, by 7News, where Thomson is accused of lying to Fair Work Australia.
At the time, Davies was then an advisor to the Labor's Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans, and Hughes worked as Fair Work Australia's Communications Manager.
"Well obviously these emails show collusion between the government and Fair Work Australia." Opposition MP, Christopher Pyne says.
7News reports that Chris Evans appeared in front of the Senate a day before the emails were sent, assuring the room that his office was not interfering with Fair Work Australia's investigation into Thomson.
A Gillard government spokesman responded to the email claims saying it is appropriate for advisors to seek information from agencies on stories that might become issues for ministers.
COME CLEAN ON THOMSON INQUIRY, ABBOTT SAYS
Prime Minister Julia Gillard needs to disclose all communications to do with the Craig Thomson affair, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
"The prime minister has got to come clean," he told the Seven Network on Wednesday.
"She has to detail every involvement between her, her office, the ministers and their offices and Fair Work Australia (FWA) over this, because the only way Julia Gillard survives as prime minister right now is because she has the tainted vote of Craig Thomson in the parliament."
His comments come after Kathy Jackson, the current national secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU), said she couldn't rule out interference by the government in an FWA inquiry of alleged misconduct by Mr Thomson.
The allegations relate to misuse of a union credit card by the federal Labor backbencher when he was national secretary of the HSU.
The coalition has indicated it could move a no-confidence motion in parliament next week, saying Ms Gillard has failed to adequately explain her office's role in a march by Aboriginal people on Australia Day.
But Mr Abbott said pushing a vote would be fruitless right now as the government was fire-walled while it had Mr Thomson's vote.
"That's why any interference with the Fair Work Australian investigation would be so utterly, utterly reprehensible," he said.
Former Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson rejected the idea the government's future hinged on whether Mr Thomson was charged.
"He will stay until the bitter end and that means he will stay until the next election," he told the Seven Network.
"There is no way he will resign or fall on his sword because he is charged."
