‘Effective immediately’: Independent’s mum ousted from Liberal Party

The mum of a Independent candidate has been expelled from the Liberal Party after they went sent a photograph of the elderly woman helping her son at a polling venue.

An Independent candidate’s mum has been expelled from the Liberal Party after she was photographed helping her son at a polling booth in Orange.

Independent Member for Calare Andrew Gee took to social media after his mum, in her 80s, received an email stating she had been expelled from the party’s NSW division.

Mr Gee has won the seat, which includes Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee, three times for the Nationals since 2016, however, became an Independent in 2023 and is recontesting the seat against his former party.

“It’s been a big talking point on the polling booths today,” Mr Gee told news.com.au.

“People can’t believe how petty it is to expel my Mum for supporting her son.

“Many people have also commented that on the day before an election, they would have expected the major parties to be focused on their plans for the country rather than being vindictive against an 83 year old mother and grandmother.”

In the email, NSW Liberal State Director Chris Stone wrote the expulsion was “effective immediately” and attached a photograph of Ms Gee at the polling booth.

“I have been made aware of your public support and assistance of the Independent candidate for the House of Representatives Electoral Division of Calare, Andrew Gee, against the endorsed candidate of the Nationals – NSW, the Division’s Coalition partner,” he said in the email.

“The effect of this expulsion is that you are no longer a Member of the Division.”

Ms Gee has been ousted from the party. Picture: Facebook

The NSW Liberal Party declined to comment on the decision.

The email stated Ms Gee’s “conduct” was likely to cause “damage” and “embarrassment” to the party as well as “reduce” the division’s success at the federal election.

Mr Gee posted the email to his Facebook page.

“Today my Mum was expelled from the Liberal Party for helping me out on a polling booth in Orange,” Mr Gee said.

“They sent her a letter after somebody took a photo and sent it in to them.

“They have a general election tomorrow, and they have time to send my Mum (who is in her eighties) an expulsion letter?

“Wow. You can’t make it up!”

Former National Andrew Gee is recontesting his seat as an Independent. Picture: Supplied

Many of Mr Gee’s supporters were up in arms over the move.

“Expelling an elderly woman for simply supporting her son at a polling booth? Honestly, that’s beyond petty,” one wrote.

Another wrote: “How petty of the person who took the photo and made the complaint. Cringe.”

Mr Gee is running up against Sam Farraway, who is now the national candidate. In 2022, Mr Gee won the seat for the Nationals with a 9.7 per cent margin.

The NSW Liberals declined to comment on the matter.

Originally published as ‘Effective immediately’: Independent’s mum ousted from Liberal Party