Speaker Peter Slipper steps aside amidst allegations of fraud, sexual harassment

[Noth]

[img]http://resources2.news.com.au/cs/newscomau/v2/_shared/base/css/images/icons/homepage-title.png[/img] Source: [url]http://www.news.com.au/national/crisis-for-julia-gillard-as-precious-vote-lost-following-peter-slippers-side-step/story-e6frfkvr-1226335729164[/url]
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[quote] • Peter Slipper steps aside over allegations against him
• [url=http://www.news.com.au/national/mystery-trips-add-to-slippers-woes/story-e6frfkvr-1226335735288]Mystery trips add to Peter Slipper's woes[/url]
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• [url=http://www.news.com.au/national/slipper-scandal-could-force-you-to-vote-twice/story-e6frfkvr-1226336046536]Malcolm Farr: What the Slipper scandal means for you[/url]

[B]TONY Abbott has accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of "making light'' of sexual harassment as she deals with allegations against the man she made Speaker, Peter Slipper.[/B]
"She just doesn't get it when it comes to the seriousness of this,'' the Opposition Leader said as Labor and the Liberals battle to distance themselves from Mr Slipper.
Mr Slipper yesterday stood aside as Speaker until the criminal matter of alleged misuse of Commonwealth taxi dockets was resolved. The Opposition wants him to also stand down until claims of sexual harassment of a male staffer are settled, and Mr Abbott demanded the Prime Minister back this stand.
Ms Gillard said she would not intervene in independent proceedings: "There are proper processes in train now and as I've said before I think people should respect those processes.''
Mr Abbott replied this showed Ms Gillard did not understand the issue of sexual harassment.
"One of the really worrying features of the Prime Minister's attempt to explain herself away, to explain her actions away, is that she's essentially making light of sexual harassment,'' said Mr Abbott.
"I mean, to suggest that sexual harassment and the misuse, the quite possibly fraudulent use of Commonwealth entitlements is on a par with those other issues just shows again that this Prime Minister does get bit.

"She just doesn't get it when it comes to the seriousness of this and the appalling cloud that now hangs over, not just the Parliament, but her and her Government.''

[B]Government will stand by Slipper[/B]
The Government is not abandoning Mr Slipper as he fights the allegations against him. But the Government wants to argue that its dealings with him have been a arm's length while Opposition Leader had been a friend who attended Mr Slipper's wedding and backed him at the last election.
Ms Gillard said she had made "a professional judgement'' of his abilities to control the House of Representatives but had little contact with him.
She acknowledged Mr Slipper had helped the Government when he turned his back on the Liberals and became to become an independent and gained the Speaker's chair.
"I don't claim to know Mr Slipper personally or well but I formed a professional judgement that he his ability to do the job,'' she said.
Ms Gillard said his switch had enabled the Government to do "important things on behalf of Australian families'' such as end "hard-earned taxpayers' money going to support the private health insurance of millionaires''.
She compared her relationship with Mr Slipper to the closer familiarity of Tony Abbott.
"But Mr Abbott as he spews forth with that negativity will have to recognise that Mr Slipper was preselected by the Coalition on nine occasions, is my understanding,'' she said.
"There is a relationship with the preselection matters and Mr Abbott's leadership. That is, Mr Slipper was preselected as recently as the last federal election and was a candidate in that election under Mr Abbott leadership.''
Tony Abbott today insisted the Liberal Party last year had been determined to deny Mr Slipper preselection for the coming election, after seven times giving him endorsement.
"We were trying to get him out of the Parliament, he was going to lose his preselection,'' said Mr Abbott today.
In September last year Mr Slipper said in a statement that he had been assured by Mr Abbott that he had not approved a move against him in his Queensland seat of Fisher.
"It has been wrongly suggested that this bid has Tony Abbott's blessing. I have spoken to Tony and he has assured me this is not the case,'' Mr Slipper said in a statement at the time.
And he warned then what might happen if there were moves against him by colleagues.
"If the coup is successful my position as a parliamentary member of the LNP becomes untenable. This would not be helpful for the Coalition in a hung Parliament," he said.
When Mr Slipper became an independent and, with the retirement of Labor's Harry Jenkins, took the Speaker's job with Government backing, he again claimed Mr Abbott had supported him.
Mr Slipper told Fairfax newspapers last year Mr Abbott had told him in August he would find him a seat to stand in for the Liberals.
"Tony said to me he would back me for whatever seat I ran for,'' he said in an interview.
But the claim was rejected by federal Liberal director Brian Loughnane, who was at the meeting.
Slipper thanks his supporters

Earlier today Mr Slipper used his personal Twitter account to send the message of thanks on behalf of himself and wife, Inge.
“Thanks to all those who have offered strong support to Inge and me at this time,” he tweeted on the social media network.

“Much appreciated.”

[B]Speaker a "protected species"[/B]
Meanwhile, a Federal Liberal MP has accused Peter Slipper of being a "protected species", saying his former colleague has been allowed to repay tens of thousands of dollars wrongly claimed as legitimate travel expenses.
Alex Somlyay, the MP for Fairfax which adjoins Mr Slipper's Queensland electorate of Fisher, has told of his sometimes difficult relationship with Mr Slipper.
Mr Somlyay said Mr Slipper always had been known as "a big spender" of MP entitlements but until now had been allowed to repay any funds that came under scrutiny.
"He's been blessed ... I think he's a protected species," Mr Somlyay told ABC Radio.
"He has had the opportunity many times, and there's tens of thousands of dollars that he's been allowed to repay that have been illegitimately used."
Mr Slipper had defended his actions by saying there was a difference of interpretation of the entitlement rules.
Mr Somlyay cited an instance where he believed he had been misled by the MP.
Mr Slipper had asked to be allowed to go on holidays a week early because he had been invited to meet the Dalai Lama in Paris.
"Off he went to Paris and I picked up the newspaper next week and the Dalai Lama is in Singapore," Mr Somlyay said.

[I]With AAP[/I][/quote]

[Lonestriper]

This will be interesting, I would say Craig Thompson should follow suit but I do like a functioning government

[Mlisen14]

Anyone who wants to read the sleazy bastard's texts, they were put on The Age this morning. Good shit.

[QUOTE]The Speaker of Federal Parliament, Peter Slipper, has been accused of "using his position to pursue relationships of a sexual nature with young male employees", of sending lewd text messages to a male staff member and of urinating out of a window.
In an application filed with the Federal Court on Friday, Mr Slipper is accused of "unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome sexual comments and unwelcome suggestions of a sexual nature" towards his staffer James Ashby.
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Under the spotlight ... Peter Slipper. Photo: Andrew Meares
Mr Ashby claims the harassment occurred between January and March this year.
All claims have been denied by Mr Slipper.
Mr Ashby claims the Commonwealth knew that, in 2003 when John Howard was prime minister, Mr Slipper had a sexual relationship with another younger male member of his staff.
He says the Commonwealth "failed to take reasonable and effective steps to prevent [Mr Slipper] from utilising his office to foster sexual relationships with young male staff members".
Mr Ashby claims that as well as sexually harassing him, Mr Slipper attempted to victimise him when he rebuffed his advances.
He says he has suffered "considerable stress, humiliation and illness and is currently seeking medical assistance".
Shocked and uncomfortable
Mr Ashby claims that, in June to August 2011, he was invited to Mr Slipper's home by an unnamed third person. During the conversation, Mr Ashby revealed he was gay.
Over the next few months Mr Slipper persistently offered Mr Ashby a role as media adviser, which Mr Ashby declined. However, in December, Mr Ashby accepted the role.
Mr Ashby claims in the first week of January 2012, Mr Slipper insisted he stay in his flat in Hughes, Canberra.
On Wednesday, January 4, Mr Ashby and Mr Slipper were at the flat after work. Mr Slipper asked Mr Ashby to massage his neck, then lay on the bed with only shorts on.
As Mr Ashby massaged his boss's neck, he claims Mr Slipper "began to moan in a manner that to [him] indicated intense sexual pleasure". Mr Ashby says he felt shocked and uncomfortable and left the room.
The next morning, Mr Slipper allegedly told Mr Ashby he was "strange" and a "prude" because he showered with the door closed.
Mr Ashby claims Mr Slipper continued to shower with the door open for the rest of the week.
At the end of that week, Mr Ashby claims Mr Slipper made a "vindictive and deliberately spiteful" jibe about his weight, knowing that Mr Ashby previously had issues with his weight, saying "you look fat in that".
Mr Ashby said that, on the morning of January 14, 2012, Mr Slipper asked him: "Have you ever c--- in a guy's a--- before?"
Mr Ashby said he replied, "That's not the sort of question you ask people, Peter."
The documents also state that, a few weeks later, Mr Slipper allegedly asked Mr Ashby: "Twinks or Bears - what are you into?"
Mr Ashby says he thought the question was about types of gay sexual partners and was uncomfortable, replying, "They are not questions you ask."
Mr Ashby further claims that, on March 1, Mr Slipper was watching a YouTube video Mr Ashby had prepared. He claims Mr Slipper stroked his arm and said: "You do such a beautiful job with these videos."
On March 20, Mr Slipper is alleged to have walked into Mr Ashby's office and said "Can I kiss you both". Mr Ashby says he was the only person in the room and said, "No."
Mr Ashby also claims the Commonwealth, through Mr Slipper, breached his employment contract, in particular, by "involving [Mr Ashby] in questionable conduct in relation to travel".
He claims on three occasions, he travelled with Mr Slipper in a car, which Mr Slipper said was driven by "a friend".
On each occasion, Mr Slipper is alleged to have asked the driver: "How many Cabcharges do you require?"
Mr Slipper allegedly signed blank Cabcharge vouchers and gave them to the driver.
These incidents are said to have occurred in Sydney on January 27, February 5 and February 12.
The documents state that Mr Ashby intends to make a statement to the Australian Federal Police.
Alleged text messages
Mr Ashby claims that, on or about February 1, 2012, about 7pm, the following text message exchange took place after Mr Slipper did an interview with the Sunshine Coast Daily, against Mr Ashby's advice.
Mr Ashby: "You're not funny! I can't believe you called her! We'll have to clean this mess up now!! F--- f--- f---".
Mr Slipper: "Relax my friend! x".
Mr Ashby: "It's so very hard to when you care about the bloke they keeping f----- over. I hope like hell they don't f--- u over with this report."
Mr Slipper: "Xxx".
Mr Slipper: "Would be good if you here but perhaps we are not close enough?"
[a few more messages are sent]
At 10pm, the following text exchange allegedly took place:
S: "Haha where's Tim tonight?"
A: "Missing".
S: "Gone to pick up lol".
S: "Do you think timbo is closer to me than you?"
A: "Yeah but that's to be expected. He's known u longer. That sort of stuff doesn't worry me."
S "Gone to prick [sic] up whom? And closer to you than pete?"
A: "No he's closer to u. I hardly know him".
A: "A random root lol".
A: "I gotta stop being rude to my friends. Text u when I leave".
S: "U getting roks off. Pity".
S: "If you interested we could be closer?"
S:"?"
A: "I think we're good already. I'm happy seeing Tim being closest. I hate stepping on toes".
S: ":)"
S: "Your call if u want to keep degrees of separation. No toes".
S: "I told him positrion [sic] open".
S: "But your call and no hard feelings in that you only want businesslike contact. In that event of the difficulty in our personla".
A: "I don't know what type of contact you expect Peter. Perhaps u should define that u would like and I can then be clearer on my position."
S: "U want something more? U brillianmt [sic] at massages".
A: "No I'm happy the way things are. I care for u Pete but the massage is as far as it goes. Life's a lot more simpler when it's business and a few drinks after work".
S: "Oh".
S: "No problems and thanks for I".
A: "All good".
S: "Sorry things not working out but appreciate your frankness. In future in circumstances please arrange all communcoations".
S: "Thu tim as cannot guarantee availability. Sorry u missing syd harbour creises [sic: cruises]".
Mr Ashby says he appeared to be uninvited to a harbour cruise with a delegation from Samoa because he rejected the sexual advances.
Mr Ashby claims on February 2, the morning after the text message exchange, Mr Slipper sent another text:
"Ha only joking last night! How media/ daily? Sometimes I feel depressed and as tho the weight of the world is on my shoulders."
On February 26, Mr Slipper allegedly sent another text message: "Tim [surname redacted] thought you were a nice twink!"
The documents state that Tim was not Tim Knapp. The exchange continued to detail a meeting Mr Slipper had with Tim. Mr Slipper said the meeting was "Bout whether your loyalty was to the thugs in LNP or to me! I told him I was hopeful your loyalty was to me."
The documents say Mr Ashby says he has kept all the text messages on his mobile phone. They also say the phone has been "forensically examined" to ensure the messages were genuinely sent.
Staffer alleged abuse in 2003
The documents state that, in 2003, Tony Nutt, a senior adviser to Mr Howard, was told by one of Mr Slipper's staff members, Megan Hobson, of a video featuring Mr Slipper.
The video allegedly showed Mr Slipper:
- entering the bedroom of an unnamed junior male staffer via the window,
- lying on the bed in shorts and T-shirt and hugging the staffer "in an intimate fashion", and
- urinating out of the window.
The documents allege Mr Nutt told Ms Hobson to "forget all about it".
In the budget week of 2003, the male staffer is alleged to have told Ms Hobson he had been "abused" by Mr Slipper, claiming Mr Slipper made advances towards him, which he rebuffed, after an electorate event of Australia Day.
The staffer is alleged to have shown Ms Hobson scabs on his knuckles where he said he had hit a brick wall while defending himself against an attack by Mr Slipper in Adelaide.
The documents state that Ms Hobson formed the view that the relationship was consensual after watching the video.
Claim under Fair Work Act
The claim is an originating application under the Fair Work Act 2009 alleging discrimination.
The Commonwealth is named as the first respondent, and Mr Slipper the second respondent.
Mr Ashby is seeking an order that Mr Slipper undergo counselling and training in anti-discrimination law, a civil penalty against both the Commonwealth and Mr Slipper, compensation for medical expenses, interest on compensation and costs.
The matter will come before Justice Geoffrey Flick of the Federal Court on May 21 for directions.

[/QUOTE]
Read more: [URL]http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/slipper-used-position-to-harass-staffers-court-documents-20120423-1xfty.html#ixzz1sr3omBRU[/URL]

[mutant]

Shame we might not get another speaker like Harry Jenkins for awhile, I thought he was brilliant.

[Best4bond]

I think Peter Slipper was excellent as he was no bullshit and not pro-labor...

But because im simply a liberal follower... HANG PETER ON THE CROSS DONT LET HIM NEAR OUR CHILDREN OR WE MIGHT TURN INTO DEMONS GOD BLESS TONY ABBOT!