LIBERAL Party attempt to discredit 13 Labor candidates comes unstuck

A Liberal Party smear campaign fails, they had claimed that 13 opposition Labor candidates were ineligible to stand for office at Saturday's Federal Election, however their smear campaign was sourced solely on unchecked information on outdated websites.

With only a few days until the election, with every day the Liberal Party seem to get more desperate and are willing to say and do anything just to be re-elected.

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Robb produced a list of ALP candidates on Tuesday, which he said appeared to have retained positions on government boards, agencies and offices while attempting to run for Parliament - which is prohibited under the Constitution.

He repeated his claims on Wednesday, saying that a hung Parliament would inevitably be followed by legal challenges to candidates.

But the Labor Party described the allegations as "baseless, desperate and ridiculous" and accused the Liberals of a frantic last-minute tactic.

Labor frontbencher Penny Wong said: "These claims are completely untrue and clearly the Liberal Party is desperate.

"They have nothing left to say to the Australian people."


'Simply not updated'

Senator Wong said the 13 had complied with regulations and resigned from government posts, but the agency websites had simply not been updated.

The Herald Sun last night confirmed the Liberal Party claims were based on scouring websites, and did not involve any checks or phone calls to the respective boards, authorities and agencies involved.

Under the Australian Constitution - Candidates who are on a government payroll must resign before they nominate.


- from the Herald Sun's Gerard McManus and AAP
source: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22795174-5012863,00.html