NSW:NSW Labor leader unaware of Thomson payout

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2011
NSW:NSW Labor leader unaware of Thomson payout

SYDNEY, Aug 20 AAP - NSW Labor Leader John Robertson says he's not aware whether his
party financial bailed out besieged federal MP Craig Thomson.

Mr Thomson is under fire over claims surrounding the use of a union credit card to
pay for prostitutes.

Hotel bills obtained by Fairfax show phone calls made to two Melbourne brothels in
2006 were from rooms hired in Mr Thomson's name.

The member for the NSW Central Coast seat of Dobell has repeatedly denied using his
credit card to pay for escort services.

Mr Thomson is also under pressure for waiting until this week to disclose that the
ALP's NSW branch had paid a "sum of money" - reportedly $90,000 - to his lawyers on his
behalf to allegedly avoid bankruptcy after ending a defamation case against Fairfax.

Bankruptcy or criminal charges could force the backbencher from his seat, potentially
ending federal Labor's minority government.

Mr Robertson told reporters on Saturday that he wasn't aware of payments made by the
ALP's NSW Labor branch to Mr Thomson's lawyers.

He said the issue was a matter for the party office and the federal government.

"I'm only aware of what I've read and seen in media reports," he told reporters in Sydney.

"That's a matter that's dealt with by the party office."

When asked if he was concerned he wasn't made aware of any payments, Mr Robertson said
only that the matter was being dealt with effectively by the prime minister.

"The prime minister's responded to this on numerous occasions," he said.

"It's a matter for her to deal with and I think she's addressed it every day."

AAP ih/goc/jjs

KEYWORD: THOMSON

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