Peter Adamson (politician)

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Peter Adamson (1961-present)

Contents 1 Early life 2 Political career 3 Lord Mayor & Downfall 4 References

[edit] Early life

Adamson was born in Darwin, in The Northern Territory, the son of working-class, politically conservative middle class parents. He was educated at private schools, and then at the University of Sydney, where he graduated in Politics. In 1993 he married Claudia Newman.Martin, but is today engaged to Leanne Meharry^[1].

[edit] Political career

In 1994, future Chief Minister Clare Martin 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.

[edit] Lord Mayor & Downfall

In 2002 Adamson was elected Lord Mayor of Darwin, and he and his family moved into the Government house (pictured). ^[2] While Adamson knew many early successes, including economic investment, roadwork repairs^[3], and sending himself and others as a mayoral delegation to Anchorage, Alaska (Darwin's sister city) to discuss expanding economic ties^[4], Adamson's career soon came spiralling out of control, with the revelation of misuse of council funds to purchase comical items such as using stolen council funds to buy a refrigerator, women's underwear and a Darth Vader voice distorter^[5].

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"^{[6] [7]}. 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,^[8] 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.^[9]. Adamson subsequently lost his appeal, with the judge calling him a sociopathic liar^[10][11]. Adamson is undecided on whether to appeal at this stage.

[edit] References