AUSTRALIA
The Australian
David Crowe, National Affairs Editor
From:The Australian
April 23, 2012
JULIA Gillard has lost crucial ground in federal parliament as she seeks support for next month’s budget after a sex and fraud scandal forced Peter Slipper to step aside as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Prime Minister faced new doubts over her political judgment and her ability to pass contentious reforms, including budget cuts.
Mr Slipper announced the move to stand aside late yesterday to limit the damage from a sexual harassment claim and an investigation into his parliamentary expenses, as he declared his innocence on both counts. …
Mr Slipper lost another position last night when the Australian leader of the Traditional Anglican Communion, John Hepworth, asked him to vacate his role as a priest and chancellor in the church.
The developments rocked the government over the weekend after revelations that one of Mr Slipper’s former advisers, James Ashby, had lodged a statement of claim in the federal court alleging sexual harassment.
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