Hartley rivals Nick Xenophon and Vincent Tarzia argue over dirty tactics and stolen posters

NICK Xenophon is asking his rival for the seat of Hartley about a lawyer who’s attempting to gather damaging information on the SA Best leader — but the Liberal MP, Vincent Tarzia, isn’t going to respond.

LIBERAL MP Vincent Tarzia won’t be responding to a letter from fellow Hartley candidate Nick Xenophon in which he asks about his knowledge of a lawyer who has been trying to gather damaging information on the SA Best leader.

On Saturday, The Advertiser’s Off the Record column reported that lawyer Ash Bidhendi set up a meeting with an Advertiser journalist with the aim of digging up dirt on Mr Xenophon.

Mr Bidhendi admitted he was aiming to help Mr Tarzia.

Mr Xenophon sent a letter to Mr Tarzia asking whether he knew Mr Bidhendi and “when did you first become aware that Mr Bidhendi was apparently ‘digging dirt’ on me?’’

SA-Best Leader Nick Xenophon. Picture: AAP / Russell Millard

Sitting member for Hartley, Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia. Picture: Kelly Barnes/The Australian

Mr Tarzia said he “will not be responding to Mr Xenophon’s letter’’.

Mr Tarzia said he had no knowledge of Mr Bidhendi’s activities.

Mr Xenophon also said Mr Tarzia had phoned him after the Liberal MP alleged 100 of his campaign posters were stolen.

“He spoke to me about the missing posters,’’ Mr Xenophon said. “It was a very strange phone call.’’

Mr Tarzia said he was not trying to imply Mr Xenophon had knowledge of who stole his posters.

Mr Tarzia declared 100 of his posters were stolen shortly after going up on Friday night.

He said he had put the matter in the hands of police even as his political rivals denied any involvement.

Liberal Leader Steven Marshall said if the posters had been removed intentionally it was something that was not welcome in the campaign.

“We don’t want to see that. It’s not what’s needed. We want a clean fight,” he said.

Mr Weatherill said the theft was “obviously something that should not happen.”

“Beyond that I don’t know anything about that,” he said.

— with AAP