Today I am condemning and calling out a coordinated smear campaign by the Liberal Party, which includes misrepresenting supporter comments from an unofficial WhatsApp group and intimidating my volunteers at pre-poll voting booths.

This is exactly the kind of politics people are rejecting. Rather than engaging in respectful debate or listening to voters, the Liberal Party is resorting to personal attacks, smear tactics, and bullying behaviour. It’s deeply disappointing—but sadly, not surprising.

In recent days, volunteers for my campaign—many of them young people and retirees—have reported being harassed and intimidated while handing out how-to-vote cards at early voting centres.

They are giving up their time to participate in democracy, and they deserve to feel safe. The bullying and intimidation happening at pre-poll booths is completely unacceptable. 

I’m calling on all candidates to ensure their campaigns uphold a standard of respect and decency, and to actively discourage this kind of behaviour.

The Libs are furious at the gains we have made, so they are pulling out every last desperate tactic. They have even accused my team of being anti Semitic.

Heather Ruddock, who has German Jewish ancestors, has been criticised for even pointing out when ramadan starts. Inciting religious tensions while there is a real war, with real people being killed in Gaza is despicable.