Govt to Support Slipper Return

Sky News
April 23, 2012

http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=742765&vId=


Controversial MP Peter Slipper could return to the Speaker's chair with Gillard government support before the sexual harassment claims against him are resolved.

The former Liberal turned independent MP stood aside as Speaker pending a possible criminal probe into allegations he misused taxpayer-funded Cabcharge vouchers.

He also faces civil claims - to be heard by the Federal Court next month - that he sexually harassed a former male aide. He strenuously denies all the allegations.

The scandal on Monday overshadowed the first day of Prime Minister Julia Gillard's trip to Singapore.

Ms Gillard defended her decision to recruit Mr Slipper to the role in November, a move that gave her minority government a crucial extra buffer in the House of Representatives.

'I don't claim to know Mr Slipper personally or well, but I formed a professional judgment about his ability to do the job,' Ms Gillard told reporters.

She said Mr Slipper had done a good job controlling MPs in the chamber and his defection from the coalition had enabled the government to do 'important things' for Australian families.

Nonetheless, she said his decision to step aside was 'appropriate'.

The opposition wants both the criminal and civil matters to be resolved before Mr Slipper returns as Speaker.

'Mr Slipper should stand aside until all of the allegations are resolved,' Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop told AAP.

She said the government's strong support for Mr Slipper was 'disgraceful'.

'The so-called party of the worker has shown no concern for the claimant, James Hunter Ashby, who has detailed his claims of sexual harassment in court documents,' she said.

Mr Slipper has also been asked to stand down from his role as chancellor of the breakaway Traditional Anglican Communion church, where he is a priest.

But senior government frontbencher Anthony Albanese, who has spoken with Mr Slipper in recent days but refuses to detail the talks, says the embattled Queensland MP should be free to return to the Speaker's chair if he is cleared of the Cabcharge claims.

'If you argue that people should step aside in terms of civil proceedings, well there'll be a lot of civil proceedings going on and a lot of people stepping aside,' Mr Albanese told reporters.

The government hopes the Cabcharge claims can be dealt with quickly.

The Australian Federal Police is assessing those allegations but has not yet decided to launch a formal investigation.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has called on key independent MPs Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor to withdraw their support for the Gillard government in the wake of the scandal.

Mr Oakeshott said his support for the government was unchanged but declared these the 'darkest days' of the current parliament.

He said Mr Slipper had made the right decision in stepping aside but cautioned against setting a precedent that people should give up their positions over civil claims.

'If we make this the standard any Australian citizen could make any allegation against any politicians and we're all expected to step down,' Mr Oakeshott told the ABC.

Nonetheless, he said he was keeping an 'open mind' about a possible no-confidence motion against Mr Slipper.

But Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he was unlikely to move any such motion.

'I'm not in the business of moving no-confidence motions lightly,' he said.

'I haven't moved any up until now and I don't think anyone should expect something come parliament resuming.'

Mr Windsor said his support for the government was still solid.

'I haven't seen anything that would breach the agreement,' he told the ABC.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon took aim at Mr Abbott's public pursuit of Mr Slipper.

'I'm very concerned that Mr Abbott is acting more like the leader of a lynch mob than the leader of the Liberal Party,' Ms Roxon told reporters in Sydney.

Mr Slipper's decision to stand aside and install Labor MP Anna Burke as a temporary replacement has effectively reduced the government's numbers in the lower house.

But with the support of Mr Windsor, Mr Oakeshott and Greens MP Adam Bandt - and the possible tie-breaking vote of Ms Burke - it still has the numbers to defeat any no-confidence motion.

Mr Slipper on Monday used his personal Twitter account to thank his supporters.

'Thanks to all those who have offered strong support to Inge and me at this time,' he tweeted. 'Much appreciated.'