EMBATTLED MP Craig Thomson has hit out at police following his Melbourne court appearance since being arrested amid allegations he used his union credit card to pay for prostitutes.
As part of his bail conditions Mr Thomson was explicitly ordered not to contact anyone from a list of companies including Boardroom Escorts, Tiffany’s Girls and Young Blondes.
The former Labor MP, who is now facing 154 charges of fraud, criticised police handling of the case after a court heard today they were not able to produce a list of witnesses to be called at trial.
“What was disappointing about today was it became clear that not only was last Thursday wrongly done by the police, but after 18 months in relation to investigating this matter they still don’t even have witnesses that they’re able to produce for us in terms of some of these issues that are here,” he said after the brief 15-minute hearing.
“We are trying to get on with this, get it on as quickly as we can,” he said.
“It wasn’t encouraging that the police still aren’t even ready at this time but we'll get on with it as quickly as we can to clear my name.
MP Craig Thomson and his wife Zoe Arnold leave the Magistrates Court in Melbourne. Picture: Alex Coppel
“Really given that these are court proceedings there’s not much more we can say today,” he said.
It comes after Mr Thomson's lawyer Chris McArdle, last week accused "goons in rubber gloves" from NSW correctional services of strip searching Mr Thomson.
He also criticised Victorian and NSW detectives for arresting Mr Thomson at his Sydney electorate office and suggested they had tipped off the media.
The former Labor MP and union secretary, who is now an Independent, is facing charges over allegations he used union cash to pay for prostitutes, dinners, and election expenses.
They broadly follow the allegations outlined by Fair Work Australia in civil proceedings brought against Mr Thomson.
MP Craig Thomson, with his wife Zoe, was charged with 154 counts of fraud. Picture: Alex Coppel
Mr Thomson appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning for the first time since being arrested.
A relaxed Mr Thomson joked with a waiting media pack that "you’d think it was an AFL grand final with all you guys here.”
Arriving at court with his wife about 8.50am, Mr Thomson said it was a “priority to try and get this issue on and over with as quickly as possible to clear my name," he said.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing since allegations were first levelled against him and has said he would vigorously defend the charges against him.
Mr Thomson, dressed in a grey suit, white shirt and blue tie, appeared relaxed during the brief procedural filing hearing.
Craig Thomson arrives at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court with his wife, Zoe. Picture: Alex Coppel
He was supported in court by his wife, Zoe, who held his hand throughout the hearing.
The court heard the evidence being prepared was complex and would be prepared in accordance with complex fraud guidelines.
Prosecutors said Mr Thomson was now facing 154 charges, five more than the 149 he faced after his arrest last week.
A brief of evidence, expected to comprise 20 volumes, is expected to be served on Mr Thomson’s legal team by April 17, the court heard.
Mr Thomson’s lawyer applied to have a bail condition, that ordered Mr Thomson not to contact certain witnesses, be removed.
He said because prosecutors were unable to provide Mr Thomson with a list of witnesses it was an unfair condition that was a "recipe for trouble".
But Magistrate Donna Bakos refused the application because the condition placed no undue onus on Mr Thomson.
Instead, she varied the condition ordering he not “knowlingly” contact witnesses.
She also explicitly ordered Mr Thomson not to contact anyone from a list of companies including Boardroom Escorts, Tiffany’s Girls and Young Blondes.
Mr Thomson did not say anything throughout the 15 minute hearing until asked whether he understood the revised conditions.
He simply answered "Yes, your honour".
It is expected Victoria Police will attempt to use samples of Mr Thomson's fingerprints as evidence when the matter goes to trial.
Despite Parliamentary rules that allow federal MPs and senators to avoid appearing in court if Parliament is sitting within five days of the court date, Mr Thomson last week dropped a bid to delay his first court appearance.
Me Thomson's lawyer told the court his client had been keen to get the matter underway as quickly as possible.
"My client's had this hanging on his head for years," he said.
"It's a burden on my client. He obviously has his responsibilities.
"He's anxious to get these matters resolved."
He said Mr Thomson was keen to get back to his parliamentary responsibilities.
Ms Bakos extended Mr Thomson’s bail that included strict conditions banning him from contacting anyone that he is alleged to have engaged for sexual services.
A media request for access to Mr Thomson’s charge sheets was unopposed.
He was ordered to reappear on May 27 for a committal mention.
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