sentences:  The allegations were first publicised by "The Canberra Times" in the lead-up to the election.Garland and Branson denied that they had engaged in bribery, as they were of the belief that Cavanough had already agreed to give his preferences to Knight.The charges were dismissed at a committal hearing in the Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory on 8 March, with the chief magistrate stating that there was a "prima facie" case against the pair but that "a jury properly directed would not convict the defendants".