Former federal Labor MP Craig Thomson has been granted strict bail after spending the night in custody on the NSW Central Coast, accused of fraud offences and breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO).
The 57-year-old faced Gosford Local Court for the second time in two days this afternoon on two sets of unrelated charges.
Police alleged he made two fake COVID-19 business grant applications, dating back two years, totalling $25,000.
Police alleged Mr Thomson received a small business COVID-19 grant worth $10,000 that was put on his credit card for personal use.
The court also heard he was paid a small business grant of $15,000 even though the business had ceased trading.
The money was allegedly put towards a mortgage and a vehicle lease.
He is also accused of lodging a fake application for JobSaver payments worth $3,000.
The fraud-related offences carry maximum jail terms of between five and 10 years.
Offences 'not the most serious', court hears
Mr Thomson was arrested yesterday for an alleged AVO breach.
In Gosford Local Court this afternoon Magistrate Jennifer Price acknowledged Thomson had no history of violence, but said the "amount of matters before the court" was making it increasingly difficult to grant bail.
Mr Thomson has been released and is expected to face court again on April 5.
In opposing bail, the prosecutor acknowledged the fraud offences were "not the most serious", but showed "premeditated and calculated criminal conduct".
He also told the court the AVO breach was not the most serious example and there was no allegation of violence.
Fraud charges denied
Speaking to media outside court, Mr Thomson said, in relation to the fraud charges, that he did not think that "anything" had been done that was "wrong or inappropriate".
He said he was an "optimist" who saw his "glass as half full, not empty" when asked if he had hit rock bottom.
"There are a lot of things that I still want to do with my life," Mr Thomson said.
"[I'm] relieved to get out of a police station after 24 hours of being there, looking forward to having a shower."
