Whetstone calls out One Nation on preferences
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said a number of One Nation how-to-vote cards distributed at a local early voting location had been manually filled in, with Labor put ahead of the Liberals.
THE Riverland’s sitting MP has accused One Nation of a “dog act” ahead of SA Election polling day tomorrow.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said a number of One Nation how-to-vote cards distributed at a local early voting location had been manually filled in, with Labor put ahead of the Liberals.
This is despite One Nation choosing against preferencing at this election and its Chaffey candidate, Renmark woman Jenny Troeth, this week repeating her directive that preferences are the voters’ choice, “not mine, not One Nation’s”.
However, Mr Whetstone was unable to provide any details about the number of how-to-vote cards allegedly pre-marked.
Mr Whetstone said preferencing Labor ahead of Liberal would neglect the region’s best interests.
“One Nation preferencing Labor in a regional seat like Chaffey is a dog act,” Mr Whetstone said.
“Labor have neglected our regions for so many years, and One Nation sending votes their way risks delivering this seat to a city-centric Labor government.
“The only way to keep strong regional representation is to Vote 1 Liberal.”
However, when asked about the matter on 5AA radio on Friday morning, One Nation lead Upper House candidate Carlos Quaremba said it was a simple volunteer error.
“There's some issues with volunteers that don't quite understand what's going on,” Mr Quaremba said.
“We've addressed all those sort of things (and) at the end of the day, we've said it pretty clearly.
“Vote 1 for One Nation. Fill the rest out as you please.”
The Murray Pioneer understands One Nation has had volunteers on both prepoll centres – in Renmark and Barmera – all day, every day since early voting opened last Saturday.
The Pioneer has seen one of Mrs Troeth’s how to vote cards, pictured below, which do not preference any other candidate.
