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The incident was particularly embarrassing for the Federal Liberal Party—[[John Howard]] later admitted he had been notified the night before of the raid, and the matter overshadowed a planned trip to Queensland and an attack on Labor leader [[Kevin Rudd]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21338832-601,00.html|title=Howard MP raided over allowance 'rorts'|last=McKenna|first=Michael|work=[[The Australian]]|page=1|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> By [[8 March]], Laming had become the focus of the investigation, and was also being investigated by police for claiming funds for an unfilled electorate staff position,<ref>{{cite news|title=Big spender has Libs in bind|last=Marriner|first=Cosima|coauthors=Coorey, Phillip|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/07/1173166800945.html|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=[[8 March]] [[2007]]|page=1|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> while allegations by an anonymous source were reported in the press that a person associated with Liberal Senator and factional heavyweight [[Santo Santoro]], the Minister for Ageing, was behind the moves.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why Andrew Laming is John Howard's problem child|last=Strutt|first=Sam|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|date=[[10 March]] [[2007]]|page=55}}<br />* {{cite news|title=Rookie MP mired in rort investigation|last=Fraser|first=Andrew|work=[[Canberra Times]]|date=[[7 March]] [[2007]]|page=5}}</ref> (On [[16 March]], Santoro was forced to quit Parliament amid revelations he had failed to report personal share dealings on behalf of a conservative family association, in violation of the ministerial code of conduct.)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21390675-2702,00.html|title=Santoro adviser a lobbyist|last=McKenna|first=Michael|work=[[The Australian]]|page=2|date=[[16 March]] [[2007]]|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> |
The incident was particularly embarrassing for the Federal Liberal Party—[[John Howard]] later admitted he had been notified the night before of the raid, and the matter overshadowed a planned trip to Queensland and an attack on Labor leader [[Kevin Rudd]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21338832-601,00.html|title=Howard MP raided over allowance 'rorts'|last=McKenna|first=Michael|work=[[The Australian]]|page=1|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> By [[8 March]], Laming had become the focus of the investigation, and was also being investigated by police for claiming funds for an unfilled electorate staff position,<ref>{{cite news|title=Big spender has Libs in bind|last=Marriner|first=Cosima|coauthors=Coorey, Phillip|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/07/1173166800945.html|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=[[8 March]] [[2007]]|page=1|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> while allegations by an anonymous source were reported in the press that a person associated with Liberal Senator and factional heavyweight [[Santo Santoro]], the Minister for Ageing, was behind the moves.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why Andrew Laming is John Howard's problem child|last=Strutt|first=Sam|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|date=[[10 March]] [[2007]]|page=55}}<br />* {{cite news|title=Rookie MP mired in rort investigation|last=Fraser|first=Andrew|work=[[Canberra Times]]|date=[[7 March]] [[2007]]|page=5}}</ref> (On [[16 March]], Santoro was forced to quit Parliament amid revelations he had failed to report personal share dealings on behalf of a conservative family association, in violation of the ministerial code of conduct.)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21390675-2702,00.html|title=Santoro adviser a lobbyist|last=McKenna|first=Michael|work=[[The Australian]]|page=2|date=[[16 March]] [[2007]]|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> |
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Press speculation smouldered for some months, with criticism by the Liberal Party over excessive delays in investigating the case. This intensified after Ross Vasta was cleared on [[13 August]] and Gary Hardgrave on [[11 September]]. On [[12 September]] Gary Hardgrave cast further doubt on the integrity of the AFP investigation when he revealed the AFP officer behind the investigation was not only a member of the Labor Party as previously reported in the Courier-Mail,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21350054-953,00.html|title=Raid leader a Labor member|last=Heywood|first=Lachlan|coauthor=Strutt, Sam|work=Courier-Mail|date=[[8 March]] [[2007]]|accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> but was also the estranged wife of Queensland Government Transport Minister Paul Lucas.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/09/11/1189276720886.html|title=Queensland Lib calls for inquiry into police|last=Stafford|first=Annabel|date=[[12 September]] [[2007]]|work=The Age|accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last= Williams |first= Paul D. |year= 2007 |month= December |title= Political Chronicle - Queensland - January to June 2007 |journal= Australian Journal of Politics and History |volume= 53 |issue= 4 |pages= 634-639 |id= {{ISSN search link|0004-9522}} |quote= But Liberals soon cried foul when it was revealed the raid was led by the estranged wife of senior minister Paul Lucas.}}</ref> |
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Press speculation smouldered for some months, with criticism by the Liberal Party over excessive delays in investigating the case. This intensified after Ross Vasta was cleared on [[13 August]] and Gary Hardgrave on [[11 September]]. |
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On September 12 Gary Hardgrave cast further doubt on the integrity of the AFP investigation when he revealed the AFP officer behind the investigation was not only a member of the Labor Party as previously reported in the Courier Mail <ref> http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21350054-953,00.html</ref>, but was also the estranged wife of Queensland Government Transport Minister Paul Lucas.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/queensland-lib-calls-for-inquiry-into-police/2007/09/11/1189276720886.html</ref> |
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The Courier-Mail additionally reported that federal police were examining whether Andrew Laming's signature on a range of documentation had been forged.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22399658-952,00.html|title=Print scandal abates as two MPs cleared|last=Heywood|first=Lachlan|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|date=[[12 September]] [[2007]]|page=7|accessdate-2008-01-28}}</ref> Investigation of the matter, however, had stalled, with police claims that Laming refused to hand over a sample of his signature, and that all three MPs had failed to co-operate with the probe despite public assurances to the contrary. Laming strongly denied this, saying he had not received any official requests apart from the request for his signature, which had only just been made.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lib MPs failed to respond to police|last=McKenna|first=Michael|work=[[The Australian]]|date=[[15 September]] [[2007]]|page=1}}</ref> On [[28 September]] [[2007]], the police decided not to proceed with the prosecution against Laming, following advice from the Commonwealth [[Director of Public Prosecutions]] that the evidence supplied by the Federal Police did not establish reasonable prospects of securing a conviction. Laming described the entire affair as a "very trying experience" for himself and his family, and said that he welcomed the decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22501520-5006786,00.html|title=Third MP clear in police inquiry|last=Fraser|first=Andrew|work=[[The Australian]]|date=[[29 September]] [[2007]]|page=2|accessdate=2008-01-28}}<br/>* {{cite news|url=http://www.cdpp.gov.au/Media/Releases/20070928-Laming.aspx |title=Media Release: Re Dr Laming MP|date=[[28 September]] [[2007]]|author=Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> |
The Courier-Mail additionally reported that federal police were examining whether Andrew Laming's signature on a range of documentation had been forged.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22399658-952,00.html|title=Print scandal abates as two MPs cleared|last=Heywood|first=Lachlan|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|date=[[12 September]] [[2007]]|page=7|accessdate-2008-01-28}}</ref> Investigation of the matter, however, had stalled, with police claims that Laming refused to hand over a sample of his signature, and that all three MPs had failed to co-operate with the probe despite public assurances to the contrary. Laming strongly denied this, saying he had not received any official requests apart from the request for his signature, which had only just been made.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lib MPs failed to respond to police|last=McKenna|first=Michael|work=[[The Australian]]|date=[[15 September]] [[2007]]|page=1}}</ref> On [[28 September]] [[2007]], the police decided not to proceed with the prosecution against Laming, following advice from the Commonwealth [[Director of Public Prosecutions]] that the evidence supplied by the Federal Police did not establish reasonable prospects of securing a conviction. Laming described the entire affair as a "very trying experience" for himself and his family, and said that he welcomed the decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22501520-5006786,00.html|title=Third MP clear in police inquiry|last=Fraser|first=Andrew|work=[[The Australian]]|date=[[29 September]] [[2007]]|page=2|accessdate=2008-01-28}}<br/>* {{cite news|url=http://www.cdpp.gov.au/Media/Releases/20070928-Laming.aspx |title=Media Release: Re Dr Laming MP|date=[[28 September]] [[2007]]|author=Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions|accessdate=2008-01-28}}</ref> |
Revision as of 01:06, 6 February 2008
Andrew Charles Laming (born 30 September 1966), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Bowman, Queensland for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. He was an ophthalmic surgeon and management consultant before entering politics.
Laming qualified in medicine at University of Queensland and is a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and holds a Diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He also has a Master of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, a Masters of Public Policy from Charles Darwin University and a Masters of Philosophy in Public Health from Sydney University. He has worked in public health, economics, ophthalmology, international systems and finance, including a period with the World Bank in Washington DC and as a health planning specialist in the East Timor Transitional Authority.
In his first Parliamentary term, Laming was appointed Government representative on the UNESCO National Commission. He also played a key role in the 2006 pharmaceutical reforms, the National Chaplaincy initiative and the RU486 debate.
Printing controversy
In 2007, Laming and fellow Queensland Liberal MHRs Gary Hardgrave and Ross Vasta were accused of fraudulently claiming AUD$67,000 of taxpayer funds for printing campaign material, with speculation in the media and the Queensland Parliament that the funds had been diverted to the Liberals' 2006 state election campaign.[1] On 2 March 2007, the Australian Federal Police, acting on search warrants, conducted a raid on the three MHRs' electoral offices as well as those of a printing company and a graphic artist.[2] [3] Laming described the incident as a "routine visit", while Liberal state leader Bruce Flegg noted that "this is one of a number of printers that would be regularly used by both the party and its members", and that he was not aware of anything untoward.[4]
The incident was particularly embarrassing for the Federal Liberal Party—John Howard later admitted he had been notified the night before of the raid, and the matter overshadowed a planned trip to Queensland and an attack on Labor leader Kevin Rudd.[5] By 8 March, Laming had become the focus of the investigation, and was also being investigated by police for claiming funds for an unfilled electorate staff position,[6] while allegations by an anonymous source were reported in the press that a person associated with Liberal Senator and factional heavyweight Santo Santoro, the Minister for Ageing, was behind the moves.[7] (On 16 March, Santoro was forced to quit Parliament amid revelations he had failed to report personal share dealings on behalf of a conservative family association, in violation of the ministerial code of conduct.)[8]
Press speculation smouldered for some months, with criticism by the Liberal Party over excessive delays in investigating the case. This intensified after Ross Vasta was cleared on 13 August and Gary Hardgrave on 11 September. On 12 September Gary Hardgrave cast further doubt on the integrity of the AFP investigation when he revealed the AFP officer behind the investigation was not only a member of the Labor Party as previously reported in the Courier-Mail,[9] but was also the estranged wife of Queensland Government Transport Minister Paul Lucas.[10][11]
The Courier-Mail additionally reported that federal police were examining whether Andrew Laming's signature on a range of documentation had been forged.[12] Investigation of the matter, however, had stalled, with police claims that Laming refused to hand over a sample of his signature, and that all three MPs had failed to co-operate with the probe despite public assurances to the contrary. Laming strongly denied this, saying he had not received any official requests apart from the request for his signature, which had only just been made.[13] On 28 September 2007, the police decided not to proceed with the prosecution against Laming, following advice from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions that the evidence supplied by the Federal Police did not establish reasonable prospects of securing a conviction. Laming described the entire affair as a "very trying experience" for himself and his family, and said that he welcomed the decision.[14]
2007 election
At the 2007 federal election, it appeared on the night that Andrew Laming had lost Bowman to Labor rival Jason Young on a large swing. However, counting of pre-poll votes which progressed over the next couple of weeks placed Laming marginally ahead, and the Australian Electoral Commission eventually declared him the winner on a 50.04% margin—just 64 votes ahead—having suffered a two party swing of 8.86%, compared with the Queensland state average of 7.53%.
References
- ^ Marriner, Cosima (6 March 2007). "Three Lib MPs raided over use of print funds". The Age. p. 9. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
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(help) - ^ Australian Associated Press (6 March 2007). "Federal Police raid Liberal MPs". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ "Qld Liberal MPs deny wrongdoing after police raids". ABC Online. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
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(help) - ^ "Police raid routine, says Liberal MP". Herald Sun. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-06.
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(help) - ^ McKenna, Michael. "Howard MP raided over allowance 'rorts'". The Australian. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
- ^ Marriner, Cosima (8 March 2007). "Big spender has Libs in bind". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Strutt, Sam (10 March 2007). "Why Andrew Laming is John Howard's problem child". The Courier-Mail. p. 55.
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* Fraser, Andrew (7 March 2007). "Rookie MP mired in rort investigation". Canberra Times. p. 5.{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ McKenna, Michael (16 March 2007). "Santoro adviser a lobbyist". The Australian. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Heywood, Lachlan (8 March 2007). "Raid leader a Labor member". Courier-Mail. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
{{cite news}}
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ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ Stafford, Annabel (12 September 2007). "Queensland Lib calls for inquiry into police". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Williams, Paul D. (2007). "Political Chronicle - Queensland - January to June 2007". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 53 (4): 634–639. 0004-9522.
But Liberals soon cried foul when it was revealed the raid was led by the estranged wife of senior minister Paul Lucas.
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ignored (help) - ^ Heywood, Lachlan (12 September 2007). "Print scandal abates as two MPs cleared". The Courier-Mail. p. 7.
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(help); Text "accessdate-2008-01-28" ignored (help) - ^ McKenna, Michael (15 September 2007). "Lib MPs failed to respond to police". The Australian. p. 1.
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(help) - ^ Fraser, Andrew (29 September 2007). "Third MP clear in police inquiry". The Australian. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
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* Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (28 September 2007). "Media Release: Re Dr Laming MP". Retrieved 2008-01-28.{{cite news}}
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