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June 22nd, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda 
Senator Mary Jo Fisher outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court during a hearing for her first shoplifting charge. She was ultimately acquitted. Picture: Greg Higgs
Source: AdelaideNow
LIBERAL senator Mary Jo Fisher was counselled to quit politics a year ago when she first faced shoplifting and assault charges.
SA Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher has quit parliament after being reported for shoplifting a second time.
But she decided to stay at the urging of others, The Advertiser has been told.
Senator Fisher quit politics on Thursday, an hour after she was contacted for comment by The Advertiser over a second alleged shoplifting incident which she said was due to a panic attack.
The Liberal Party’s State Executive was to meet last night to determine the process for selecting a replacement senator for the sole female in its 10-member team representing South Australia in Canberra.
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Phones were running hot among powerbrokers yesterday, with a host of names mentioned to serve in the plum post for the remaining five years of Senator Fisher’s term.
“One lot of us were saying, ‘You should leave and go away and get yourself well’, but another lot were saying, ‘You are doing a great job, keep going’,” said an MP.
Party sources said there was likely to be a lot of interest in the position and pressure to select a woman.
The most likely candidate at this stage appears to be Renmark-based businesswoman Anne Ruston, who as well as being vice-president of the party’s SA division, is an endorsed candidate for the 2013 Senate ticket.
But she would be likely to face stiff competition, with insiders tipping up to 10 hopefuls would come forward, including the current senior vice-president Andrew McLaughlin, and the current Women’s Council chairwoman, Cathy Webb.
Another name mentioned is the former state candidate in Bright, Maria Kourtesis. A key figure said gender should not be a factor and the only consideration would be merit.
Political leaders on both sides yesterday expressed sympathy for Senator Fisher, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard describing her circumstances as sad and Liberal leader Tony Abbott praising her contribution.
“I think she has taken a very gutsy and honourable decision so she can deal with this issue in the best interests of herself and her family,” Mr Abbott said.
Senator Fisher was cleared of a first shoplifting charge in November and narrowly avoided a conviction on a related assault charge, having revealed a long-term battle with a “depressive illness”.
The latest incident involved the alleged theft of goods valued at $60.40 from Coles supermarket at West Lakes last Saturday.
She was not returning calls yesterday but The Advertiser has learned that some of her colleagues believed it was in her interests and those of the party for her to leave public life.
“There have been a few issues with Mary Jo,” one MP said.
“I think she has been struggling over the last year and part of that is due to people not leaving her alone to deal with her issues.”
Casual Senate vacancies are filled by the party involved, but the nomination must come from in joint sitting of both Houses of the state Parliament.
If you need help for depression phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
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