MP seeks legal advice on Corio ‘dirty trick’

Andrew Mathieson
INDEPENDENT candidate Gavan O’Connor is seeking legal advice on a “dirty” campaign to discredit his run for Corio.
But he has refused to comment on a right-wing Labor website claiming he has bought a property in the Snowy Mountains for retirement after losing tomorrow’s election.
Mr O’Connor, the federal Labor member in the seat since 1993, quit the party last month to stand as an independent.
Labor dumped Mr O’Connor at pre-selection last year in favour of right-wing union heavyweight Richard Marles.
Mr O’Connor accused Mr Marles of orchestrating an unmarked mail-out exploiting Mr O’Connor’s decision not to preference Labor ahead of the Liberals.
The mail-out card stated: “A vote for Gavan O’Connor is a vote for John Howard”.
The card carried the authorisation of Stephen Newnham without saying he was Labor’s state secretary in Victoria.
The card’s unmarked envelope listed a post office box number registered to Mr Marles.
Mr O’Connor said the card was a “gross misrepresentation” of his campaign.
“It is public knowledge I am leaving it to the people of Corio to decide their preferences,” Mr O’Connor said.
“I decided I won’t preference anybody and I’ll be an independent.”
“The colour of the pamphlet and the message is designed to deliberately deceive the electors of Corio.
“Mr Marles is hiding behind a blank, white envelope, with his post box number on it.
“He’s now had to resort to grubby, underhand and dirty tricks in this campaign and it is simply par for the course.”
Mr O’Connor said he had sought legal advice on the card from the Australian Electoral Commisson.
Mr Marles refused to comment on the card and directed the Independent’s questions to Mr Newnham.
Mr Newnham denied the card was deceptive.
“Gavan O’Connor has to explain to Labor voters why he has refused to preference Labor ahead of the Liberal party and the fact that John Howard has also endorsed him,” Mr Newnham said.
Mr O’Connor refused to comment on the website’s claim he would move to his Snowy Mountains property if he lost.
The website of Andrew Landeryou described it as an “enormous multi-million-dollar property”.
“I have no intention of retiring after this election,” Mr O’Connor said.