Former Labor MP Craig Thomson has been ordered by the Federal Court on Tuesday to pay a fine of $458,000 for making fraudulent charges to the union credit card as the head of the Health Services Union between 2003 and 2007. He will be required to pay a compensation of $231,234 to the HSU and an amount of $145,937 as interest over it.

Justice Christopher Jessup also ordered Thomson, who was not present in court on Tuesday, to pay $80,000 to the Fair Work Commission.

Thomson spent large sums of money while he worked for the union to pay hotel bills and used the credit card for personal purposes. The court also heard that a large sum of money was inappropriately used for election campaigns for the Central Coast seat of Dobell.

Justice Jessup said that Thomson has shown no regard to the seriousness of the matter put up against him for improperly using the funds for his personal gains.

The Health Services Union said it is satisfied with the judgment. FWC general manager Bernadette O'Neill issued a formal statement after the announcement of the judgement.

"I am particularly pleased that this decision recognises the impact of Mr. Thomson's actions on the union's membership by the awarding of compensation to the HSU," she said in a statement. "Today's decision sends a clear message to all officers of registered organisations that a failure to meet their obligations under the Fair Work Registered Organisations Act 2009 is a serious issue and will be treated accordingly."

In December last year, Thomson was found guilty of embezzling the HSU but escaped a jail term after being fined with $25,000.

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