A new round of emails have emerged targeting the NSW electorate of Wentworth in the federal election have emerged, containing false claims about sitting independent member Dr Kerryn Phelps.
The emails sighted by OUTinPerth contain misinformation about Phelps being ineligible to sit in parliament, urging voters to choose Liberal candidate Dave Sharma instead. The text echoes fake emails circulated during the 2018 by-election – which was also contested by both Phelps and Sharma in the wake of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s retirement.
A representative for Phelps told OUTinPerth the information in the emails is “utterly false and offensive.” Phelps has also stated that the emails have been referred to the Australian Federal Police.
“It’s homophobic, anti-Semitic, racist and just generally pretty disgusting,” News.com.au reported.
“We’ve asked the AFP to look into it again. They couldn’t get to the bottom of the last one. This one is a step up in terms of content from the previous one.”
Liberal candidate Dave Sharma has denounced the emails as “ridiculous, paranoid assertions.”
“They feel kind of like white nationalist dog whistling attacking all sorts of minorities. I don’t know who’s responsible for them” Sharma said.
“It’s unfortunate it exists. We should report them to the police but we shouldn’t give these people more oxygen than they deserve. It’s what they want – a platform.”
Australia votes on Saturday 18th May.
OIP Staff
OUTinPerth have chosen not to publish the contents of the emails.
