Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher arrested for shoplifting, assault

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Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher arrested for shoplifting, assault


July 22, 2011


FLAMBOYANT South Australian federal politician Mary Jo Fisher has been charged with allegedly stealing groceries from a supermarket and assaulting a security guard who apprehended her.


In a sensational development, the Liberal Senator could face the loss of her Senate position if she is convicted of either charge in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Senator Fisher, who in March attracted national prominence when she mocked Prime Minister Julia Gillard's proposed carbon tax with a dance routine in the Upper House, has hired prominent silk Michael Abbott, QC, to defend her.
She will stand trial in September after being charged with one count of dishonestly taking property without the owner's consent and one count of assault. The charges will be contested.
While the alleged offending occurred on December 15 last year, Senator Fisher was only charged on summons on May 5 this year.
The matter was last in court for mention on July 12, where Magistrate Bill Ackland set September 1as the trial date after Mr Abbott requested the matter be dealt with rapidly.
The police apprehension report into the incident alleges that Senator Fisher allegedly took foodstuffs valued at $92.92 from the Foodland supermarket on Glen Osmond Rd at Frewville.
She is further alleged to have assaulted a female security guard in the supermarket carpark when the guard sought to stop her from leaving.
The report alleges the security guard saw Senator Fisher place numerous items into a shopping trolley in the supermarket about 7.10pm on December 15.
She watched her place some items on the checkout counter as she proceeded through the checkout and out of the supermarket.
It is then alleged the security guard then approached Senator Fisher outside the store and asked her to accompany her to the security office, which she did. Police were then called to the supermarket.
While waiting for police to arrive Senator Fisher allegedly asked to use the toilet.
After doing so she allegedly walked away from the security office and was stopped by the guard, who told her she was not allowed to leave until the police arrived
She made her way outside and once outside went to her car and attempted to get into it.
The report alleges the security guard sought to block Senator Fisher from closing her car door by standing between the open door and the door jamb to prevent it being closed.
It is alleged Senator Fisher then tried to close the door, but the guard managed to stay in position. It was at that point a police patrol arrived.
In a subsequent interview with police Senator Fisher allegedly told them she had left the store without paying for all of the groceries because she did not have enough money on her and she was going to her car "to call for someone to bring some cash to pay for them."
She had not advised the store staff of this prior to leaving the checkout and while she had credit cards on her, she alleged that she could not remember their PINs to use them.
When questioned over the alleged assault of the security guard, Senator Fisher allegedly conceded the guard had been trying to stop her from leaving.
Senator Fisher has been a Senator for South Australia since June, 2007, when she was preselected to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Amanda Vanstone.
She formerly worked as a barrister and specialist in industrial relations before beginning her political career and also was a senior adviser to then Industrial Relations Minister Peter Reith.
Under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, a politician will be disqualified from holding office if they are "attainted of treason, or has been convicted and is under sentence, or subject to be sentenced, for any offence punishable under the law of the Commonwealth or of a State by imprisonment for one year or longer."
Under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act the maximum penalty for assault is imprisonment for two years and the maximum penalty for dishonestly taking property without the owner's consent is imprisonment for 10 years.


 
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