Tony Abbott's chief-of-staff, Peta Credlin, has escaped a minor drink driving charge without a fine. Source: AAP
PRIME minister-elect Tony Abbott's chief-of-staff has escaped without a fine or driving licence suspension after admitting to low-range drink driving.
Peta Credlin, 42 returned a blood alcohol reading of .075 after being stopped while returning home in Canberra in the early hours of May 17, following Mr Abbott's budget reply speech to federal parliament.
She pleaded guilty and could have faced a fine of $500 plus a two-month driving suspension.
ACT Magistrate Maria Doogan found the charge proved but dismissed it without conviction, and imposed the standard $69 towards court costs.
Outside the court, Ms Credlin said she had admitted doing the wrong thing from the outset.
"I haven't made any excuses," she told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"I have fronted the court like anybody else. I did the wrong thing. I made a mistake and I asked for the matter to be dealt with in the usual way and that has been done today."
In court, Ms Credlin's lawyer Ben Aulich cited a personal reference from the likely incoming attorney-general George Brandis.
Senator Brandis wrote she was a person of the utmost professionalism and integrity, respected by both sides of politics and had a deep sense of personal responsibility.
Mr Aulich said there were no aggravating factors in the case and the low reading was not the highest to come before the ACT Magistrates Court.
He further submitted Ms Credlin was a person of good character who had been driving for 21 years, had a clean record, and that no conviction should be recorded.
"This is just a very big mistake by Ms Credlin," he told the court.
"It is not just good character. It is exceptional character."
Mr Aulich said her case had attracted significant media attention, which was itself a punishment.
Ms Credlin, the wife of Liberal Party director Brian Loughnane, said she was heading back to work.
"I accept there is media attention," she told reporters.
"Justice doesn't have to be done, it has to be seen to be done.
"Now that the matter's resolved, you'll understand I have got no further comment to make."
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