Timothy Logan McCurdy (born 16 January 1963[1]) is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2010, representing Murray Valley until 2014 and Ovens Valley thereafter. He was the shadow minister for sport, veterans, gaming and liquor control until March 2018, stepping down in light of the decision of Victoria Police to formally charge McCurdy with fraud offences.[2] The charges were dismissed in the Victorian County Court in April 2021 due to lack of evidence.[3] McCurdy returned to the Shadow Cabinet after the 2022 Victorian Election as the Shadow Minister for Water and Consumer Affairs.
Tim McCurdy | |
|---|---|
 McCurdy standing outside his Wangaratta office | |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Ovens Valley | |
| Assumed office 29 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | New seat |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Murray Valley | |
| In office 27 November 2010 – 29 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Ken Jasper |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 January 1963 Dandenong, Victoria |
| Political party | National Party |
| Children | 4 |
| Website | timmcurdy.com.au |
Legal controversies
editIn September 2014, PGW Agriservices issued a writ against McCurdy in the County Court of Victoria claiming damages in the sum of $375,741 for misleading and deceptive conduct and unconscionable conduct contrary to the Fair Trading Act.[4] The claims pertain to McCurdy's pre-politics career as a real estate agent and commissions worth $375,741 he received in respect of the sale of two farms, the sale of 'Malmo' located 50 km north of Shepparton for $7.8 million in July 2009 and 'Pinegrove' in Katamatite for $3.9 million in December 2009. Both properties were sold to a Chinese purchaser, Xing Long International.[5] The statement of claim alleged that McCurdy had forged the letterhead of his former colleague and employer, Andrew Gilmour, to profit from the sales after McCurdy had ceased his employment with PGG Wrightson and having told Gilmour that the sales had "fallen over" and "were not proceeding due to the lack of finance".[5] McCurdy settled the civil claim against him later that year.[6]
In October 2014, it was revealed that McCurdy had been accused by a long-serving former Nationals staffer, Jillian McGillivray, of harassment and bullying, with lawyers for McGillivray expecting her case to be listed before the Wangaratta Magistrates Court in November 2014. McCurdy denied any wrongdoing.[7] After the legal entity responsible for employing parliamentary staff, the Department of Parliamentary Services, paid a confidential settlement sum to McGillivray to settle the court proceedings, McCurdy was subsequently threatened with defamation proceedings for falsely telling public meetings that McGillivray's case had been "thrown out of court" and allegedly calling McGillivray a "bitch".[8][7]
McCurdy was criticised by Liberal MP Tim Smith in 2019 for employing his wife and one of his daughters in his electorate office at taxpayer expense, which Smith described as "totally unacceptable".[9] However, unlike their federal counterparts, state MPs are not prohibited from employing family members in taxpayer-funded roles.
Criminal trial
editIn July 2017, it was reported that McCurdy was being investigated by police for alleged fraud after complaints that, when working as a real estate agent in 2009, he had falsified documents to secure sales commissions worth about $375,000.[10] Victoria Police searched McCurdy's office and residence as part of their investigation.[11] In March 2018, police charged McCurdy with multiple fraud offences, and he stood down from his shadow ministry portfolios.[12][13] In October 2018 it was announced that he would stand trial on ten fraud charges. In March 2019, the Crown successfully convinced the County Court to move the fraud trial from the Shepparton County Court (located near McCurdy's electorate) to the Melbourne County Court.[14] McCurdy successfully delayed the trial until May 2020 due to the unavailability of his barrister, Ian Hill QC.[15]
On 21 April 2021, judge George Georgiou dismissed the charges against McCurdy in the County Court, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction after the main witness of the prosecution admitted that he falsified the document not Mr McCurdy.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Members Information – Tim McCurdy (Ovens Valley)". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Offer, Kaitlyn (3 October 2018). "Vic Nats MP in court over fraud claims". Katherine Times. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ a b Fowler, Adam Cooper, Michael (21 April 2021). "'Horrible journey': Nationals MP found not guilty of five fraud charges". The Age. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Ainsworth, Michelle (21 September 2014). "Forge claims hit Nationals Murray Valley MP Tim McCurdy". Herald Sun. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ a b Edwards, Jean (12 July 2017). "Victorian Nationals MP Tim McCurdy investigated by police for alleged fraud over property deal". ABC News. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Dowling, James (12 July 2017). "National Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy interviewed by police in an alleged fraud investigation". ABC News. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Bully Claim: McCurdy denies blame in civil suit". The Border Mail. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ Johnston, David (7 March 2015). "Tim McCurdy denies claims put by lawyers". Border Mail. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ Minear, Tom (19 July 2019). "Several Victorian MPs have used family members in taxpayer-funded roles". Herald Sun. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Carey, Adam (12 July 2017). "Police investigate Tim McCurdy, Nationals MP for Ovens Valley over real estate 'fraud'". The Age. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ Dowling, James (12 July 2017). "National Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy interviewed by police in an alleged fraud investigation". Herald Sun. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Victorian Opposition frontbencher Tim McCurdy charged with fraud offences". ABC News. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Nationals MP facing fraud trial just weeks before Victorian election". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 October 2018.
- ^ "Vic Nats MP fraud trial moves to Melbourne". The Standard. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Goodman, Rick (3 April 2019). "Vic Nats MP's fraud trial to run in 2020". Katherine Times. Retrieved 9 March 2020.