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May 7th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda The Gillard government may have thought that with Craig Thomson suspended from the ALP and Peter Slipper agreeing to vacate the Speaker’s chair it would get some clear air to sell the budget when parliament resumes on Tuesday.
But Fair Work Australia clearly had other ideas.
Its report into the Health Services Union (HSU), which was led by Mr Thomson between 2002 and his election to parliament in November 2007, was tabled on Monday evening.
It alleges Mr Thomson spent almost $500,000 of union members’ funds on escorts, cash withdrawals, meals and electioneering, including $1425 after he became a Labor MP.
Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten was quick to point out the ex-union boss was now an independent MP after he was suspended from the ALP a week ago.
But that didn’t stop the opposition from demanding Prime Minister Julia Gillard disown Mr Thomson’s vote in the finely balanced lower house.
And the fact Mr Thomson will sit on the crossbenches for the first time on Tuesday won’t stop the attacks when the House of Representatives kicks off at 2pm (AEST) with a fiery Question Time.
But before hostilities resume after a six-week break Mr Slipper will make a short speech before slipping out of the Speaker’s chair for an indefinite period.
He has been forced to make way for Labor’s Deputy Speaker Anna Burke while he deals with criminal allegations he misused taxi vouchers and a civil claim of sexual harassment.
Whether or not Mr Slipper makes a final processional walk into the chamber remains to be seen. His office wasn’t confirming details to AAP.
The Speaker re-introduced the formal public procession in February.
Following QT – and most likely an attempt by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to suspend standing orders to condemn Ms Gillard for her handling of the Thomson and Slipper affair – the parliament could briefly discuss paid parental leave legislation.
Then it will suspend at 6pm and resume at 7.30pm for Treasurer Wayne Swan’s budget speech.
Mr Swan is expected to release a “tough” budget designed to plug revenue gaps by cutting spending. It will deliver a surplus of around $1.5 billion for 2012/13.
The budget bills will be introduced and associated documents tabled.
In the other place, as the Senate is quaintly referred to by MPs, the mood will much more sombre and dignified.
Proceedings will get under way just after midday with the swearing in of new senator Dean Smith.
The former Liberal party adviser and lobbyist, 42, will fill the casual vacancy for Western Australia following the death in March of Judith Adams after a long battle with cancer.
The Senate will then honour the life and work of the late Senator Adams and former deputy prime minister Lionel Bowen.
Mr Bowen, who served as Bob Hawke’s deputy between 1983 and 1990, died aged 89 at the beginning of April after a battle with pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The upper house will then adjourn for the day as a mark of respect.
On Wednesday the Senate will discuss changes to social security payments and the expansion of Labor’s intervention into remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
Mr Abbott will formally respond to the budget on Thursday when he addresses the lower house at 7.30pm.
Then the country’s pollies will jet out of Canberra just a few days after they arrived.
They’ll get a week off before returning on May 21 when senators will grill ministers and public servants regarding the budget during two long weeks of estimates hearings.
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