23 May 2013

Canberra wineries. So good you'll want to scam Cabcharge

| Barcham
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Former federal parliamentary speaker Peter Slipper is claiming innocence in response to dishonesty charges made in the ACT Magistrates Court, reports ABC News. What are they charging him with being dishonest about?

Misusing Cabcharge vouchers to go on a tour of Canberran wineries!

Slipper allegedly has spent $1,194 on Cabcharge vouchers, and may have used those vouchers to go on a tasting tour of the territory.

Today in the ACT Magistrates Court he was formally charged with three counts of general dishonesty causing a risk of loss to the Commonwealth.

He pleaded not guilty to each charge.

It is the fourth time the case has been listed before the court but the first time Slipper has appeared in person.

The matter has been set down for hearing in December, with 38 witnesses expected to be called over seven days.

Outside the court, Slipper said he strongly maintains his innocence and will vigorously defend the charges.

“This matter should be looked at in perspective. What we’re talking about is whether a sum of $964 expended was within or outside entitlement, and that’s a matter which is usually handled administratively between the member and Department of Finance,” he said.

“Instead, it’s been set down for a seven day trial.

“I regret that I have not been given the equivalence of treatment given to other members and senators.”

Some may look at this as a terrible story of a political fraud getting his comeuppance, some may see a story of a poor innocent man unjustly dragged into court, but I see a tale of how wonderful our wineries are.

I also like the idea that you can be charged with ‘general dishonesty’.

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HiddenDragon said :

rosscoact said :

Slipper is a cad.

He is being made an example of. Normally these things would be swept under the carpet surely?

First scofflaw, now cad, you’re on a roll this week, and I’m loving it!

Wasn’t there a winery-related incident involving an erstwhile very senior ACT politician, or was that just scuttlebutt?

Given the all-round excellence of our local vineyards, and their undoubted attractiveness to foxes of all kinds and sizes, I do hope that the word was spread far and wide on Grindr.

Wel there were two incidents actually.
The first was a former senior (in status) Liberal who rolled her (taxpayer funded) car near Lake George after a wine tasting event (no charges laid) and the second incident was a senior (in age) Labor man who wasn’t at a winery but but smelled like one nevertheless (was breath tested and charged).
About 25 years ago a Canberra Labor Federal MP was caught DUI, charged and was subsequently banished in shame to a cushy retirement job at the UN in New York (ANU probably didn’t have any vacancies for him at the time).

I like a post that features the words “cad” and “skulduggery”. Standing by for “carpetbagger”!

Captain RAAF7:32 am 24 May 13

Defence members are regularly charged/infringed for cab charge abuse, it should be no different for him!

But then again, if the pollies travel system is anything like Defence’s, then I think he needs a hug and an apology!

HiddenDragon10:55 pm 23 May 13

rosscoact said :

Slipper is a cad.

He is being made an example of. Normally these things would be swept under the carpet surely?

First scofflaw, now cad, you’re on a roll this week, and I’m loving it!

Wasn’t there a winery-related incident involving an erstwhile very senior ACT politician, or was that just scuttlebutt?

Given the all-round excellence of our local vineyards, and their undoubted attractiveness to foxes of all kinds and sizes, I do hope that the word was spread far and wide on Grindr.

You could well argue that any single case is not worth the expense. For the good of us all we have to prosecute each little thing to prevent the outrage becoming a general habit. Especially those possible transgressions of powerful people as an example to keep us all honest.

dungfungus said :

…In this case we have an MP who held one of the highest positions in the Parliament acting responsibly by getting a taxpayer funded Commonwealth car to drive him to and from several vineyards in the district.
Totally unfair that he is being singled out for being a responsible citizen and not driving himself after he had been drinking and stocking up the office cellar. Of course he is not guilty.

df, he wasn’t using Comcar, he was using Cabcharge vouchers. Many years ago, when the old Department of Admin Services was abolished, partly because of rorting of Parliamentary entitlements, I was tangentially involved in some of the enquiries (in a corp services area collecting some data).

It turned out that almost all Parliamentarians were involved in some sort of skulduggery – it was described as a few (mostly Democrats and I think a Green or two) who were pure, a few (like Colston et al) who were “black”, and the rest various shades of grey.

At that time, all the guilty ones simply repaid what was owing and nothing more was ever said.

In fact, Slipper is the first I can remember where abuse of travel entitlements has actually ended up in court.

And just remember that these alleged offences were all committed while he was still a Liberal, not while as Speaker.

dungfungus said :

Totally unfair that he is being singled out for being a responsible citizen and not driving himself after he had been drinking and stocking up the office cellar. Of course he is not guilty.

Or, you know, he could have paid for the taxis himself.

(I can’t tell whether your post was sarcasm or whether it’s just another extremist political supporter. I hope it was the former)

Slipper is a cad.

He is being made an example of. Normally these things would be swept under the carpet surely?

pptvb said :

He pleaded not guilty to each charge.

How dare he!

On another post on this blog, we have been told that Peta Credlan was irresponsible by driving home instead of getting a taxi therefore not deserving of the position of Chief of Staff to Tony Abbott if he becomes PM. I think she will “cop it sweet” and pay the fine as she should.
In this case we have an MP who held one of the highest positions in the Parliament acting responsibly by getting a taxpayer funded Commonwealth car to drive him to and from several vineyards in the district.
Totally unfair that he is being singled out for being a responsible citizen and not driving himself after he had been drinking and stocking up the office cellar. Of course he is not guilty.

Can we get back to discussing how wonderful our wineries are? 😀

howeph said :

pptvb said :

And it continues….. he will force the Govt to rack up massive legal bills defending $1,000!

If by “he” you mean Mr Slipper, that’s not fair. He hasn’t laid charges against himself.

He pleaded not guilty to each charge.

A “risk of loss”? Not even an *actual* loss? Sounds like the charge itself concedes that it’s not exactly an issue. Happy to be corrected by anyone who can translate the charge sheet into English for us.

pptvb said :

And it continues….. he will force the Govt to rack up massive legal bills defending $1,000!

If by “he” you mean Mr Slipper, that’s not fair. He hasn’t laid charges against himself.

And it continues….. he will force the Govt to rack up massive legal bills defending $1,000!

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