Minister’s ‘deceptive’ ad in Eden-Monaro referred to Electoral Commission

The former mayor of a major regional city has made a formal complaint to the election watchdog after he was featured in an Albanese government minister’s election flyer.

Kristy McBain, the Regional Development Minister and Labor MP for Eden-Monaro, campaigning with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: Jason Edwards

A respected community leader has made a complaint to the electoral watchdog accusing Labor of using old out-of-context comments to endorse one of its ministers ahead of the federal election, saying he was not aware he would be plastered on a political ad.

Bob Kirk, a former mayor and chair of the Country Universities Centre in the NSW regional city of Goulburn, was quoted on a flyer for the re-election of Regional Development Minister and Labor MP Kristy McBain.

The flyer quoted Mr Kirk as saying: “I have known and worked with Kristy McBain over the past eight years. She has proven to be an astute, attentive and committed community representative, and has been a strong advocate for the Country Universities model from the outset.”

It also featured a photo of Mr Kirk with Ms McBain.

The election ad that has infuriated prominent Goulburn public figure Bob Kirk.

After being alerted to the flyers being dropped in letterboxes in Ms McBain’s electorate of Eden-Monaro, Mr Kirk issued a statement on Facebook.

“For the record, I have not provided any election endorsement for Kristy McBain although I know many Goulburn district residents could be under that impression having received one of her brochures this week, implying that I am supporting her campaign,” he said.

“In March 2025, I was approached to participate in an electorate promotion to support Kristy’s election campaign but I declined.

“(I) explained to Kristy that I could not support her as a Labor Party candidate, that she was on the wrong team as far as I was concerned. There was no confusion about my position.”

Former Goulburn mayor Bob Kirk.

It appears the comments on the flyer attributed to Mr Kirk were old comments from November, and still used on her flyers despite his refusal to endorse her.

Mr Kirk has held senior roles in the local council and local sporting and business bodies

“(The flyer) unduly could have influenced people and I think that was the intention,” he said.

“The brochure is deliberately misleading and has now been referred to the AEC ... it is deceptive to the local community.”

Ms McBain insisted there had been a misunderstanding and she had since spoken with Mr Kirk.

“In November last year Bob provided a written testimonial regarding his views of me and the work we have done together,” Ms McBain said.

“I have known Bob for many years. There is a clear misunderstanding, and I have since spoken to Bob.”

Originally published as Minister’s ‘deceptive’ ad in Eden-Monaro referred to Electoral Commission