‘Dirty’ election slammed

By Casey Neill
CHANDLER Ward candidate Amanda Leeper is calling for electoral reform, claiming dirty tactics cost her a place on Knox Council.
But new councillor John Mortimore said his victory was “clean”.
Ms Leeper has claimed that former Chandler Ward councillor Ben Smith distributed a “deceptive and misleading” leaflet a week before the 29 November election.
She said the flyer incorrectly claimed that current councillors and preschools endorsed Cr Mortimore and implied she would not protect land in The Basin.
And Ms Leeper said that because the material did not name her she cannot take any formal action under election regulations.
“There is something intrinsically wrong with our election process if candidates can deliberately mislead or deceive the community,” she said.
“I am now committed to lobbying for electoral reform and campaigning for changes that will make it harder for dirty politics to win through.”
Ms Leeper called for a Local Government Act review and stricter processes for candidate complaints.
“I can’t understand why candidates have to resort to such antics,” she said.
“I thought in a two candidate race, honesty and simple campaigning would have prevailed.
“Maybe I was naïve.”
Ms Leeper said there was bad blood between her and Mr Smith following his 2005 election loss.
“I think he had a score to settle and, unfortunately, he used John to do that,” she said.
Ms Leeper believes the leaflet affected the election result.
She said candidates in other wards also fought against underhanded campaign tactics.
“I don’t want to come across as a sore loser,” she said.
“It’s not just me.”
Ms Leeper said such tactics discouraged people from nominating for the council.
“All you want to do is serve your community,” she said.
Mr Smith’s leaflet was labelled “important council voting information”.
“Unlike other candidates, John Mortimore opposes both a rubbish tip and housing development on Salvation Army land in The Basin, and will fight against selling the historic Miller’s Homestead,” it read.
It said current and former councillors, sporting clubs, pre-schools, community groups and businesses endorsed Cr Mortimore.
Cr Mortimore authorised the leaflet. He said it was accurate.
“I believe Ben was acting in what he believed to be in the best interests of this ward,” he said.
Cr Mortimore denied dirty tactics affected the outcome.
“The leaflet may have swung a few people but not enough to make any significant difference,” he said.
“I think it was a clean campaign.”
Ms Leeper said Cr Mortimore claimed land in The Basin was at risk to scare voters.
But Cr Mortimore said he had “good advice” that subdivision was on the cards.
“The Basin Farm, in my view, is still at risk,” he said.
“It’s one of the most prime pieces of real estate in Australia.”
Mr Smith said all candidates were provided with a handbook detailing formal complaints procedures.
“As no formal complaint has been lodged, there is no case to answer,” he said.
“I’m happy to answer any formal scrutiny should such a situation prevail.”