FED:PM Gillard says court MP 'valued member'

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2010
FED:PM Gillard says court MP 'valued member'

CANBERRA, Dec 7 AAP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described as a "flight of fancy"

the prospect of a by-election in a federal seat.

Labor MP for Dobell Craig Thomson is suing Fairfax Media, publisher of the Sydney Morning
Herald, for defamation.

The newspaper in 2009 published allegations concerning the use of a credit card issued
by Mr Thomson's previous employer, the Health Services Union.

Mr Thomson has strongly denied using the credit card to pay for the services of an
escort agency or other adult services.

But Fairfax's barrister Sandy Dawson told the NSW Supreme Court on Monday credit card
statements for $2,475 and $385 in Mr Thomson's name showed two entries in the name of
Keywed Pty Ltd Restaurant in Surry Hills, on April 9, 2005 and August 16, 2007.

Keywed was linked to the escort agency Sydney Outcalls and it was not unusual for adult
services to make the entry on financial records "look like a culinary experience rather
than a more sensual one".

The credit card vouchers for the transactions were issued in Mr Thomson's name, were
signed and noted a driver's licence number.

Fairfax denies defamation and says the articles are true.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday she would not comment
on an ongoing legal matter.

"Craig Thomson is a very valued member of my team - he completely rejects out of hand
these allegations," she said.

"Consequently there is a defamation action in the court."

Ms Gillard dismissed the likelihood of a possible by-election in Dobell.

"I know it's drawing to the end of the year but I'm not sure we've moved into flights
of fancy rather than reporting news."

AAP pjo/rl/pc/de

KEYWORD: THOMSON

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