July 2002 Craig Thomson, then assistant secretary of the Health Services Union, is elected national secretary of the HSU, which represents health and hospital workers.
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November 2007 Thomson wins the marginal seat of Dobell, on the NSW Central Coast, at the 2007 federal election.
April 2009 The Sydney Morning Herald reports allegations that Thomson had used a union credit card to pay for escort services, bankroll his election campaign and withdraw more than $100,000 in cash during his time at the HSU. Thomson denies the allegations and issues a defamation writ against Fairfax Media.
September 2010 Thomson is re-elected as the member for Dobell with a swing of 1.14 per cent.
June 2011 Thomson drops his lawsuit against Fairfax Media, but writes to colleagues telling them the case is settled.
August 2011 Thomson tells radio host Michael Smith that he had authorised the payments to escorts on the HSU credit cards, but says he did not make the transactions.
March 2012 Fair Work Australia delivers a report into Thomson and the HSU. FWA investigator Terry Nassios concludes that Thomson ''expended HSU funds for the procurement of escort services for no legitimate HSU purposes''. FWA subesequently launches a federal court action against Thomson.
April 2012 Thomson is suspended from the Australian Labor Party and sits on the crossbenches as an independent during the remainder of the 43rd Parliament.
May 2012 Thomson delivers a speech to the House of Representatives maintaining his innocence and claiming rivals within the HSU had threatened to set him up with prostitutes.
September 2013 After losing Labor preselection, Thomson runs as an independent candidate for Dobell but is not re-elected.
February 2014 A Victorian magistrate finds Thomson guilty of charges related to using union funds for sexual services, buying cigarettes and paying for travel for his wife.
March 2014 Thomson sentenced for defrauding the HSU.
