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Court's verdict helps Aussie PM stay on
Source: Agencies |
December 13, 2012, Thursday
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AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard's tenuous grip on power was strengthened yesterday when a court threw out a sexual harassment case against parliament's former speaker after months of damaging attacks by the opposition.
The court finding means that Peter Slipper, who sits as an independent, is likely to serve out his full term in parliament, shoring up the stability of the minority Labor government and reducing the chance of an election before the second half of 2013.
In a rare win for Gillard after a brutal year in politics, Federal Court judge Steven Rares said the case, brought on by Slipper's staffer James Ashby, was to cause political damage.
"I have reached the firm conclusion that Mr Ashby's predominant purpose for bringing these proceedings was to pursue a political attack against Mr Slipper and not to vindicate any legal claim he may have," Rares said.
Slipper was forced to resign as speaker over the allegations after transcripts of lurid and offensive text messages to a gay staffer were made public.
The court finding means that Peter Slipper, who sits as an independent, is likely to serve out his full term in parliament, shoring up the stability of the minority Labor government and reducing the chance of an election before the second half of 2013.
In a rare win for Gillard after a brutal year in politics, Federal Court judge Steven Rares said the case, brought on by Slipper's staffer James Ashby, was to cause political damage.
"I have reached the firm conclusion that Mr Ashby's predominant purpose for bringing these proceedings was to pursue a political attack against Mr Slipper and not to vindicate any legal claim he may have," Rares said.
Slipper was forced to resign as speaker over the allegations after transcripts of lurid and offensive text messages to a gay staffer were made public.
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