Lucas claims Labor candidate Lucy Hood campaigning on taxpayer time

The Treasurer says he wants to know if a Labor election hopeful is campaigning on taxpayer time, but the ALP says his party needs to answer the same questions.

Labor’s candidate for the prized state seat of Adelaide, who also works as an adviser to Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas, has been accused of campaigning during paid office hours.

Treasurer Rob Lucas says Lucy Hood’s social media activity, as well as feedback from within the electorate, suggests improper use of work time at taxpayers’ expense.

But the opposition has rejected the claim, and says Ms Hood campaigns outside of work commit­ments or takes leave.

Labor candidate and staff Lucy Hood, far right, with Medindie residents Paul Reader, Cindy Butler, Peter Wiadrowski, protesting plans to rezone land around the Scotty's Motel. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Lucas, also pictured, said the government had become increasingly concerned.

“We’ve had significant feedback from the Adelaide electorate, backed up a little bit by all of the social media activity in terms of the times she’s out campaigning, waving posters, doorknocking,” he said.

“The posts are during ordinary office hours ... at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning or two o’clock Friday afternoon.”

Mr Lucas called on Mr Malinauskas to guarantee taxpayer dollars were not being spent on political campaigning.

Treasurer Rob Lucas. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“The responsibility rests with Mr Malinauskas to ensure the rules are being followed,” he said.

A recent Government Gazette listed Ms Hood as 0.8 FTE – the equivalent of working four days a week with an annual salary of $75,400.

Labor’s candidate for King, Rhiannon Pearce, who is also as an adviser to Mr Malinauskas, works the same number of hours for a similar pay packet.

An opposition spokeswoman denied Ms Hood was campaigning during office hours, and said the onus was on the government to explain.

“What Treasurer Lucas needs to explain to South Australians is why the Minister for Child Protection (and Adelaide MP Rachel Sanderson), the Premier and the other ministers are campaigning in the marginal seat of Adelaide during office hours, instead of focusing on their portfolio responsibilities,” the spokeswoman said.

Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: Dean Martin

“Lucy Hood is a part-time working mum of two. She campaigns outside of her work commitments or takes annual leave.”

Adelaide will be a crucial seat, with Ms Sanderson’s margin just 0.8 per cent.

Mr Lucas said candidates were not required to quit their jobs during campaigns, but some choose to do so.

Liberal candidates Ashton Hurn, in Schubert, and Penny Pratt, in Frome, have quit their senior government roles to focus on their campaigns.

Upper house candidate Kathleen Bourne is still employed as an adviser to Health Minister Stephen Wade. However, Mr Lucas said Mr Wade had given assurances she does not campaign at work.

“She’s in a different set of circumstances ... she’s not actually campaigning in a lower house seat,” he said.