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| Craig Thomson MP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Dobell | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 24 November 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Ken Ticehurst |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Craig Robert Thomson (1964-07-31) 31 July 1964 (age 60) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Independent (2012–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Labor (2007–2012) |
| Spouse(s) | Christa Zoe Arnold (m. 2011) |
| Alma mater | University of New South Wales |
| Occupation | Unionist, Politician |
Craig Robert Thomson (born 31 July 1964) is an Australian trade unionist and politician who was elected to the federal House of Representatives as member for the Division of Dobell, New South Wales for the Australian Labor Party at the 2007 federal election. In April 2012 he announced his intention to sit on the crossbench as an independent member of parliament.
Early life and education
Thomson was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and raised in Bathurst, New South Wales. He was educated at the University of New South Wales, where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He later completed a law degree at the University of Technology, Sydney. He also attended a trade union education program at Harvard University.
Union career
Thomson started his career representing hospital and ambulance workers in New South Wales as an industrial officer for the Health and Research Employee Association (HREA). He became head of the HREA Industrial Department. He was subsequently elected to the position of Assistant Secretary.
In 2002, Thomson was elected as the National Secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU), a trade union with which the HREA had merged. During his term at the union it was rebranded as a united federal union and the state branches adopted similar names and logos.
Use of credit cards
Main article: Craig Thomson affairIn December 2008, the Health Services Union alleged impropriety of Thomson's use of a union-issued corporate credit card Thomson denied all allegations of wrongdoing, stated that an independent audit had not identified any inappropriate use of the card, noted that other people would have been able to incur charges on the account and said the accusations had been fabricated by rivals within the HSU.
Fair Work Australia conducted a three year investigation into improprieties of use of union funds, tabled on 7 May 2012 in the Senate. Thomson described the report as "nothing short of a joke".
Political career
In November 2007, Thomson stood as the Australian Labor Party (ALP) candidate for the seat of Dobell on the New South Wales central coast. He was elected, winning the seat from the incumbent, Ken Ticehurst of the Liberal Party.
Until August 2011, Thomson was the Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics as well as a member of the Privileges committee and Petitions committee. As chair of the economics committee Thomson oversaw inquiries into bank competition and a second report into productivity in Australia.
On 28 April 2012, Thomson requested suspension of his ALP membership and declared that he would sit on the crossbenches as an independent.
On 7 May 2012, Thomson, issued a statement denying any wrongdoing in regards to allegations of misuse of the HSU credit card and said he would defend all claims in court."
Plagiarism allegation
In December 2011, The Sydney Morning Herald alleged that Thomson had plagiarised various internet sources, including Misplaced Pages, when tabling a report to parliament after an overseas trip. The report in question was unsigned and undated in its cover letter.
Personal life
Thomson has been married twice, first to Christa, and then, on 21 January 2011, to Zoe Arnold, a radio newsreader and media advisor. The couple have two daughters, Matilda, born in July 2009, and, Adelaide, in September 2011.
References
- "Senators and Members, by Date of Birth". The 42nd Parliament. Parliamentary Library. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- ^ "Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election 24 November 2007". Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- "Embattled Thomson suspended from Labor Party". Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 29 April 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012 (updated)
- Metherell, Mark (9 April 2009). "'Country boy from Bathurst' a rising star in Canberra". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- Geesche Jacobsen (4 February 2001). "Ambulance Officers On Strike Alert". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- "Mr Craig Thomson MP Dobell". ABC News. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- "Craig Thomson union credit card rort paid for brothels". Smh.com.au. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Lane, Sabra. "Fair Work report finds Thomson misused union funds". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- "Labor wins marginal Dobell". ABC News. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- "Embattled Thomson quits Labor party". ABC News. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
- "HSU Conduct Disturbing Shorten Says", News.com.au, 7 May 2012.
- news.com.au. 14 December 2011 http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/craig-thomson-cut-and-pasted-report/story-e6frfku0-1226222416085.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - smh.com.au. 15 December 2011 http://www.smh.com.au/national/labor-mp-excels-at-the-cut-and-paste-of-world-travel-20111214-1ov0i.html.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - Barnes, Denice: Bells ring out for MP and his bride, Central Coast Express Advocate, 26 January 2011
- Farr, Malcolm: Crean, Turnbull to miss Olley memorial after Abbott demands Thomson debate, news.com.au, 24 August 2011
- Barnes, Denice: Matilda waltzes into life of clearly besotted MP Craig Thomson, Central Coast Express Advocate, 5 August 2009
- Thomson's pregnant wife: My week was 'hideous', The Sunday Telegraph, 21 August 2011
- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/baby-joy-for-hsu-union-rort-accused-mp-craig-thomson/story-e6frf7jo-1226165814326
External links
| Parliament of Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byKen Ticehurst | Member for Dobell 2007–present |
Incumbent |
| Crossbench members of the Australian House of Representatives | |
|---|---|
| Greens | |
| Katter's Australian | |
| Centre Alliance | |
| Independent | |
- Use dmy dates from August 2011
- 1964 births
- Living people
- Australian Labor Party politicians
- Independent politicians in Australia
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Dobell
- New Zealand emigrants to Australia
- Australian politicians
- Australian trade unionists
- People from Wellington City
- Plagiarism controversies
- Political controversies in Australia
- University of New South Wales alumni
- University of Technology, Sydney alumni