Elizabeth July 14th, 2007

In light of the recent troubles in the Northern Territory, it’s a relief to know that local government is taking its responsibilities seriously. Phew, now we can all relax!

Darwin’s lord mayor has been found guilty of using stolen council funds to buy a fridge, underwear and a Darth Vader voice distorter.

Peter Adamson, who has been on leave of absence since December, today maintained his innocence and refused to resign from his elected position.

“I know, myself, that I at no stage stole or have been dishonest,” he told reporters outside court.

Adamson, 47, a former Country Liberal Party (CLP) minister in the Northern Territory government, was found guilty today in Darwin Magistrates Court of two of the four charges against him, including stealing and making a false statement in declaration.

The court found the mayor went on a “spending spree” with stolen council funds less than 24 hours before the end of the 2005/06 financial year, buying a $910 fridge and $1,800 worth of gift vouchers.

The fridge turned up in an East Timorese thrift store about four months later, while police found most of the items bought with the gift vouchers – including women’s underwear, the Star Wars character voice distorter, and a punching bag – at Adamson’s home or his council office.

Adamson signed a declaration last October in which he claimed to have donated the fridge to a “needy family” through St Vincent de Paul.

He also claimed to have given the gift vouchers to various organisations for the purpose of fundraising.

Read the rest at SMH.

More updates when I’m done weeping for the future of Australia.

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