Peter Adamson (politician)
Encyclopedia
Peter Francis Adamson is a former Australian politician. He was educated at private schools, and then at the University of Sydney
, where he graduated in with a bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics. Prior to entering politics, he was the sports anchor on Channel Eight (now Channel Nine
) News.
was approached to contest the Darwin Legislative Assembly seat of Casuarina
for the Australian Labor Party
at the 1994 election. However, she was defeated by Peter Adamson, standing as the candidate for the Country Liberal Party
.
of Darwin.
While Adamson knew many early successes, including economic investment, roadwork repairs, and sending himself and others as a mayoral delegation to Anchorage, Alaska
(Darwin's sister city) to discuss expanding economic ties, Adamson's career soon came spiralling out of control, with the revelation of misuse of council funds to purchase comical items such as a refrigerator, women's underwear and a Darth Vader voice distorter.
The unfolding media speculation became "something of a ritual for several months as the case against Peter Adamson has ground through the court system with colourful and sometimes bizarre aspects of the story". Adamson, on initial criticism chose to see the funny side, on New Year's Eve he arrived at a party dressed as a fridge, with his girlfriend who went as a policewoman, Although he had stood aside from the job, Adamson was still drawing his $90,000 a year Lord Mayor's salaries when convicted. He was subsequently replaced by Garry Lambert
. Adamson subsequently lost his appeal, with the judge calling him a sociopathic liar. Adamson was sentenced to seven months in prison but the sentence was to be suspended after two months and was released from prison in April 2008.He is engaged to Leanne Meharry.
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, where he graduated in with a bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics. Prior to entering politics, he was the sports anchor on Channel Eight (now Channel Nine
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
) News.
Political career
In 1994, future Chief Minister Clare MartinClare Martin
Clare Majella Martin is a former Australian politician. She is the current CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service . A former journalist, she was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in a shock by-election win in 1995...
was approached to contest the Darwin Legislative Assembly seat of Casuarina
Casuarina
Casuarina is a genus of 17 species in the family Casuarinaceae, native to Australasia, southeast Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It was once treated as the sole genus in the family, but has been split into three genera .They are evergreen shrubs and trees growing to 35 m tall...
for the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
at the 1994 election. However, she was defeated by Peter Adamson, standing as the candidate for the Country Liberal Party
Country Liberal Party
The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties...
.
Lord Mayor & Downfall
In 2002 Adamson was elected Lord MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Darwin.
While Adamson knew many early successes, including economic investment, roadwork repairs, and sending himself and others as a mayoral delegation to Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
(Darwin's sister city) to discuss expanding economic ties, Adamson's career soon came spiralling out of control, with the revelation of misuse of council funds to purchase comical items such as a refrigerator, women's underwear and a Darth Vader voice distorter.
The unfolding media speculation became "something of a ritual for several months as the case against Peter Adamson has ground through the court system with colourful and sometimes bizarre aspects of the story". Adamson, on initial criticism chose to see the funny side, on New Year's Eve he arrived at a party dressed as a fridge, with his girlfriend who went as a policewoman, Although he had stood aside from the job, Adamson was still drawing his $90,000 a year Lord Mayor's salaries when convicted. He was subsequently replaced by Garry Lambert
Garry Lambert
Garry Lambert is an Australian politician. He was the Lord Mayor of Darwin from 2007 to 2008. He was the unsuccessful Country Liberal Party candidate for the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly seat of Fannie Bay in the 2008 election....
. Adamson subsequently lost his appeal, with the judge calling him a sociopathic liar. Adamson was sentenced to seven months in prison but the sentence was to be suspended after two months and was released from prison in April 2008.He is engaged to Leanne Meharry.