Peter Ristevski charged over printing fake racist election flyer targeting Holsworthy MP Tina Ayyad

A political feud has allegedly surfaced with a former Liberal councillor charged over racist election flyers which labelled his rival’s wife - and now state MP - as a vote for ‘Islamisation’.

Former Liverpool councilor Peter Ristevski has been charged with printing election material that did not have the required information. Picture: Tim Hunter.

A political feud has allegedly surfaced with a former Liberal councillor charged over racist election flyers which labelled his rival’s wife - and now Holsworthy MP - as a vote for ‘Islamisation’.

Peter Ristevski, 50, did not front Sutherland Local Court when his case was mentioned for the first time.

The former Liveprool councillor has been charged with printing electoral material that did not show name of an instructee and printing electoral material not showing the name of the printer.

The fake pamphlets were delivered to households in Australia Rd, Barden Ridge in March with the face of Tina Ayyad - Holsworthy Liberal MP and wife of Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun - on the front and the slogan, “let’s promote Islamisation vote for me”.

The reverse had Ms Ayyad’s name spelt incorrectly and “facts” about her that negatively highlight her Muslim faith.

Tina Ayyad, who was a Liberal candidate vying for the state seat of Holsworthy before she was elected, has been targeted by a racist smear flyer. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The flyer said Ms Ayyad changed her name from Faten to Tina and states “I am a Muslim”, claimed she was not a local, did not “resonate with Holsworthy”.

“My husband, the Liverpool Council mayor, banned pork at council events. Let’s ban pork products at Parliament House,” the flyer said. “Let’s make Holsworthy a Muslim stronghold. Your vote will help me achieve this.”

The fake flyer distributed in Barden Ridge in March. Picture: Facebook

The flyer was referred to NSW Police and counter terrorism and special tactics squad investigated the case before Ristevski was charged.

Police allege Ristevksi distributed election material without legibly showing the name and address of an individual on whose instructions the material was printed, nor did it name the printer and address at which it was printed.

In court, a lawyer entered a plea of not guilty with the case adjourned to August 17.

Ms Ayyad said she was unable to comment because the matter was before the court but looked forward to a resolution of the case.

The back of a fake flyer. Picture: Facebook

Ristevski spoke to the Daily Telegraph where he claimed all the information in the flyer was true before he denied he created it.

He said he would be defending the allegations on the basis the flyer was not printed within the period in which electoral material is regulated.

At the time, Ms Ayyad condemned the flyer being distributed to voters in Barden Ridge.

“I was appalled, disgusted and disheartened when I saw the flyer and I condemn the hatred and racism the pamphlet represents. It doesn’t belong in the community,” Ms Ayyad said in March.

Ms Ayyad is a former Liverpool councillor from 2016 to 2021 and served as deputy mayor.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun is married to Tina Ayyad. Picture: Monique Harmer

Ristevski was a political adversary of Mr Mannoun, despite both being Liberal party members, during their time serving on Liverpool Council.

Ristevski was a councillor from 2012 to 2016 and he also held the position of deputy mayor from 2014 to 2015.

During his term on council, Ristevski accused Mr Mannoun of forcing “a complete Islamisation” of Liverpool.

Ristevski accused Mr Mannoun of banning pork sausages at council functions and said constituents had contacted him worried Mr Mannoun would attempt to legislate halal food if he enters parliament.

Peter Ristevski during his time as a Liverpool councillor.

At the time, Mr Mannoun said the claims were “ridiculous”.

Earlier in 2016, Mr Mannoun expelled Ristevski from the chambers during a heated argument at a council meeting; where police were called to disperse the public gallery and the incident was investigated by the local government minister.

Ristevski’s LinkedIn profile said he was the chief executive officer of the Investment Plus Accounting Group, where he leads a team of property and business specialist accountants with the head office in Bankstown.

Ristevski has also pledged allegiances, and posted photos on Instagram supporting Liberals, Labor and Nationals.

He also founded the Australia-Macedonia Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and serves as its national chairman.

Originally published as Peter Ristevski charged over printing fake racist election flyer targeting Holsworthy MP Tina Ayyad