Gary Nairn (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Hansard source

I cannot shed any light on that particular comment. Certainly, Mr Bodel was not told any such thing by me or my office. I did not speak to Kevin Bodel myself. I only spoke to the commissioner much later in the evening, when, I think, the story was already filed. I also should emphasise that, in making the inquiry about this story that was going to be published the next day, my chief of staff spoke to the Electoral Commissioner first and, subsequently, to Kevin Bodel. But I cannot shed any light on that comment, and I once again refer the member for Bruce to the very definitive statement made by the Electoral Commissioner. This continual questioning by the member for Bruce here and through media releases indicates that he does not believe the Electoral Commissioner, and I think that is appalling.

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