Fraudster and former Queensland MP Scott Driscoll will spend at least 18-months in jail after using his trusted position to swindle money and attempt to solicit hundreds-of-thousands in secret commissions.

It’s unclear exactly how much money he took during his year-long rort of a lobby group, but during his sentencing at the Brisbane District Court on Friday, Judge Deborah Richards said he used fraudulently obtained money to pay about $55,000 to the LNP.

Another $57,00 was used to buy a property and about $176,000 was defrauded through the creation of fake documents made while he was the member for Redcliffe, the court heard.

“This position of trust enabled you to continue the fraud offences such that they would go undetected for a period of time,” Judge Richards said.

“These are very serious offences committed by someone in a significant position of trust.”

Driscoll stood still in the dock as he was sentenced to a maximum six-years, following his guilty plea three days before he was due to go to trial in November.

Driscoll had used the Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association (QRTSA), the small business lobby group he ran, to funnel money from its members to a company he also ran called Norsefire.

Some of the funds were then paid to his personal account.

When QRTSA received $110,000, it was immediately deposited to Norsefire and a few months later $57,200 was transferred to Driscoll and used as a deposit on a property, Judge Richards said.

That month Driscoll also called a Coles government relations representative and introduced himself as the member for Redcliffe.

He offered to make a public statement supporting them if they paid $200,000 to $300,000 to the QRTSA.

He made the Woolworths a similar offer on the same day.

“This was unauthorised, these representations, and against the instructions of the QRTSA,” Judge Richards said.

Neither company paid the demanded fee to Driscoll.

However, if the payments had been made, it is unlikely it would have been to QRTSA’s benefit, the court heard.

“The money would, or at least some of the money would, undoubtedly have ended up in the Norsefire account,” Judge Richards said.

During his time ripping off QRTSA and its members several other loans were made to Driscoll.

“The exact amount used to your benefit is unknown,” Judge Richards said.

Driscoll also swindled an $18,000 car from QRTSA, which was uncovered during an audit.

Due to his extensive mental health issues, he will be eligible for parole after 18 months behind bars.

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