Former Tasmanian MP Adam Brooks has avoided a criminal conviction after pleading guilty to firearms and credit card offences in a Queensland court.
Adam Brooks, who previously held the Liberal seat of Braddon, was arrested in May last year after officers found an unregistered handgun in "plain view" at his Redcliffe apartment, north of Brisbane.
Police also seized three Victorian drivers' licences and eight credit cards, which were not in his name, from the home.
At the time, the 46-year-old was charged with several offences including unlawful possession of a weapon, unauthorised possession of explosives and dealing with identity documents.
He was later charged with multiple counts of possessing tainted property and breach of bail.
In the Redcliffe Magistrates court on Wednesday, the prosecution withdrew the charges, with the court hearing they would "not be offering evidence" on those counts.
Instead, Brooks pleaded guilty to three substitute charges in relation to unlawfully possessing the licences and credit cards, as well as being a licensed holder who had an unregistered handgun in his possession.
The court heard Brooks had no criminal history and did not provide a reason to police for why he had the false identity documents but they believed he was "calculated to deceive".
Brooks' lawyer Brendan Beavon told the court at the time his client had been dealing with significant work and family related stress and described his offending as "out of character".
"This is all about Mr Brooks making an error of judgement," he said.
Mr Beavon said his client was "severely remorseful" and felt he had let his community down.
"He is embarrassed at the position he has found himself in," he said.
Magistrate unsure of motivation
Mr Beavon told the court Brooks had unlawfully obtained the licences and credit cards from his former business, and he had "hung onto them".
Magistrate Paul Byrne said the explanation about Brooks offending was not clear.
Brooks was given one fine for all three offences and did not have a conviction recorded.
Outside court, Brooks said he was happy with the outcome.
"I'm glad that it's now over, it's been dealt with," he said. "I have no intention of commenting on it anymore."
Brooks said the court process had been a "saga" and wanted to "get on with the rest of my life".
Brooks was elected to Tasmanian parliament in 2010 and sat until 2019, before resigning after an Integrity Commission report into the handling of his business while he was Mining minister.
He won the seat of Braddon again in last year's state election but resigned one day after being elected.
