Craig Thomson to spend three months in jail

PUBLISHED: 5 hours 26 MINUTES AGO | UPDATE: 2 hours 39 MINUTES AGO

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Craig Thomson was sentenced to 12 months jail, nine suspended on Tuesday. Photo: Jason South

Nassim Khadem and Joanna Mather

Disgraced former federal MP and union official Craig Thomson has been freed on bail ahead of his appeal against his three month jail sentence for using unions funds to pay for prostitutes and personal expenses.
In handing down a 12-month jail term with nine months’ suspended, Magistrate Charles Rosenzweig cited Thomson’s “brazen arrogance” and “sense of entitlement in dealing with the funds of members”.
The magistrate rejected an argument by Thomson’s lawyer that the offences were not sophisticated or organised.
“Whilst it is true the offences did not require planning or organisation they are committed in a fashion that clearly reflects your lack of concern for any accountability. In fact accountability in the national office of the HSU is not something I saw much of in the evidence led before this court.
“For this blatant dishonesty to continue on a regular basis over a period of years says much about the lack of accountability. “
Thomson must also pay $24,538 to the Health Services Union.
The magistrate said that while the sums involved “may not be the largest” the offences were committed in a position of trust.
“As the national secretary of a union funded by the fees paid by members from their wages you were charged to protect and advance the interest of those members in the industrial sphere. To use those funds in the manner in which you did represents a breach of trust of the highest order,” he said in his sentencing remarks.
Thomson’s lawyer immediately appealed the sentence. Magistrate Rozencwajg approved Thomson’s application for bail but Thomson has had to surrender his passport. His appeal against the sentence and conviction will be held on November 24.
Thomson has been found guilty of dozens of criminal charges relating to the misuse of a work credit card during his time as national secretary of the Health Services Union, including spending members’ money on prostitutes.
Magistrate Rozencwajg said the fact the union funds were used to pay for sexual services did not affect the sentence, but it highlighted the selfishness of Thomson’s behaviour.
“Nothing has been put before me to suggest these offences were committed for anything other than greed,” he said.
Prosecution lawyers had pushed for a jail term, saying Thomson’s actions had brought the entire labour movement into disrepute.
Thomson’s lawyers had suggested a fine, good behaviour bond or suspended sentence.
Thomson has previously offered to repay $24,000 he was found to have inappropriately obtained through his job.
Speaking outside the court in Melbourne on Tuesday, a former HSU official, Marco Bolano, said unions needed to regain community trust.