PM denies prior knowledge of Thomson furor

SYDNEY, Aug 26 (AAP) - Prime Minister Julia Gillard has denied she knew about allegations surrounding Labor backbencher Craig Thomson and his former union before the public did, as Opposition Leader Tony Abbott again called for her to tell what she knew of the affair.
Senior government ministers on Friday rounded to support Ms Gillard after it was reported that when she was deputy prime minister her chief of staff had called Fair Work Australia to ask if it was investigating the Health Services Union (HSU).
Ms Gillard said on Friday Ben Hubbard rang FWA in April 2009 to "check facts", after allegations in a Fairfax Media report about the HSU and Mr Thomson, who was its general secretary for five years to 2007.
She said there was nothing suspicious about the phone call, which was so "unremarkable" neither she nor Mr Hubbard had a clear memory of it.
"It is completely unremarkable for a chief of staff to ring a public servant to check a fact," she told reporters in Hobart.
"Mr Abbott's been out there today claiming that somehow that means I had knowledge of these events in relation to Mr Thomson, and didn't speak about them publicly and I was the only one who knew.
"These things have been on the public record since April 2009."
FWA has since 2009 been investigating the finances of the HSU under Mr Thomson's stewardship and plans to report by the end of the year.
NSW Police this week began an "assessment" of evidence relating to the alleged misuse between 2002 and 2007 of union credit cards issued to Mr Thomson, who now holds the marginal NSW central coast seat of Dobell.
The process began after Liberal Senator George Brandis and the HSU forwarded police documents and other materials relating to the affair.
Police are expected to determine next week whether a full investigation is warranted.
It's been alleged that the two union credit cards in Mr Thomson's name were used for escort services, lavish dinners and to access more than $100,000 from ATMs. He has denied any wrongdoing.
But Mr Abbott on Friday again demanded Ms Gillard publicly explain what she knew and when.
"I think she owes it to the public to tell us exactly what she knew, when she knew it and what she did about it," Mr Abbott told the Nine Network on Friday.
"No doubt if she has a reasonable explanation the public will give her credit for that, but she needs to give us her explanation."
Ms Gillard's statement that Mr Hubbard was checking facts appears to be borne out by Hansard.
According to Hansard records, FWA told a Senate committee almost 18 months ago that its Industrial Registrar had communicated with her office on April 8, 2009, and advised that inquiries "had commenced in relation to the Health Services Union."
"No other communications concerning this inquiry have taken place," FWA told the committee in response to a question taken on notice.
Trade Minister Craig Emerson said Mr Abbott had overreached by suggesting Ms Gillard knew about the FWA investigation before the public did.
"Allegations that the prime minister knew information before the public had that information and was monitoring the situation closely - it was a false, malicious claim by Mr Abbott," he told reporters in Sydney.
Dr Emerson said Thomson deserved the presumption of innocence.
"If I have ever had accusations against me, you know what I'd like to see happen? Due process without political interference, without political pressure," he said.
Cabinet minister Tony Burke said there was nothing sinister in the staff member making inquiries of public servants.
Meanwhile, Victoria Police are investigating after a shovel was placed outside the Melbourne home of HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson, who announced on Wednesday the union would hand over materials to NSW Police.
"A spade was located on the victim's doorstep after several loud noises were heard about 3.30am (AEST)" on Friday, a police spokeswoman said.