Would-be MP's drug record

[boulder]

A candidate for the Katherine by-election has spent time in jail on a drug charge.

 

Markus Bader, 39, told the Sunday Territorian he spent six days in remand at Berrimah jail after being arrested while driving with more than 17kg of cannabis stashed in a 44-gallon drum.

 

The independent candidate also said he had faced at least two assault charges, including one count of assaulting police and at least one Apprehended

 

Violence Order. He was also convicted and fined $500 on the unusual charge of Failure to Cease to Loiter when he was arrested after a mass brawl in Mataranka.

 

He also admitted he was involved in a relationship with a Katherine student.

 

He said he met Alysia Ioannidis, 19, last year but would not elaborate on the nature of their relationship.

 

The cannabis charge followed his arrest by police near Tennant Creek in October, 1995.

 

He said he was ``doing a favour'' for a friend when his vehicle was stopped by police.

 

Mr Bader later pleaded guilty to possessing a commercial quantity of cannabis and was given a two-year suspended jail sentence and three-year good behaviour bond by Justice David Angel.

 

Mr Bader said he had learned from his mistakes and was now a proud father, businessman and would-be politician.

 

``I was a wild kid back in those days, but I was younger then and those days have long gone,'' he said.

 

``When I'm pushed, I won't back down and that's why I reckon I'd be good representing the town in Parliament.''

 

Mr Bader said his 13-month relationship with Ms Ioannidis was personal but said the couple shared a house with his 15-year-old daughter, Amanda.

 

``She looks after me and I look after her,'' he said.

 

Northern Territory News

[pipeman]

I don't know anything about this guy, but I wouldn't hold any of that against him. At least he's experienced the real world, which gives him more cred. than a lot of other polititions.

[OldmanMozz]

played footy with him, he's a good bloke

 

Mozz

[Tom]

The only difference between him and some of our "honourable" members of parliament is that he has paid for his crimes.

[Guest Guest]

Good luck to him.