The use of the crtedit card occurred prior to Thomson being elected to govt and while he was authorised to use the card. The purchases may be unsavoury but was it illegal?. Providing he has authority to use the card and there were no contractual rules about what he could purchase then it is no more illegal than me or you using our visa card to hire escorts. Unsavoury -- yes. Illegal - No.
I imagine there are dozens of coalition members that had corporate cards prior to election to govt. How many boozy lunches did they put on the card? How many weekends away with "personal assistants" under the pretence of business purposes.
In WA we have seen examples of Lib MPs spending a few extra nights away with women and putting the bill on their credit card.
