MP Llew O’Brien’s and Casey Iddon’s Wide Bay election clash continues

The election clash between Wide Bay LNP MP Llew O’Brien and Independent Casey Iddon has continued in the wake of Mr O’Brien’s victory.

The election clash between Wide Bay LNP MP Llew O’Brien (right) and Independent Casey Iddon (left) has continued in the wake of Mr O’Brien’s victory with the former candidate firing back at attacks on his campaign.

The election clash between Wide Bay LNP MP Llew O’Brien and Independent Casey Iddon has continued in the wake of Mr O’Brien’s victory, with the former candidate firing back at attacks on his campaign.

The pair first clashed following criticisms by Mr Iddon of the LNP MP one week out from election day, with Mr Iddon accusing Mr O’Brien of dodging debate and running a “safe seat” playbook.

In response, Mr O’Brien made his own allusions to a smear campaign against him targeting family and staff.

Mr Iddon has now rejected those claims saying he accepted the election result with “humility and gratitude” but had to respond to accusations of “vile attacks”.

“That’s simply not true,” Mr Iddon said.

Wide Bay Independent Casey Iddon has rejected claims his campaign was involved in an smear campaign calling them “vile attacks”.

“No staff or family members were targeted.

“My team campaigned with integrity – through long days, long roads, and a lot of honest conversations with locals.

“We asked hard questions. We challenged the silence in a safe seat.
“That’s not an attack – that’s democracy.”
He said it was “troubling” the claims were made “from someone who refused to debate, made funding promises tied to a near-impossible national outcome, and now casts himself as a victim when challenged”.

In a Facebook post Thursday morning following a request for reply, Mr O’Brien again defended his record and questioned Mr Iddon’s campaign choices.

“With his strong links to Labor, CFMEU, and a notorious local internet troll, Mr Iddon raises a good question about the independence of Independents,” Mr O’Brien said in the post.
Mr Iddon on Thursday denied having any ties to the CFMEU.

Mr O’Brien criticised Mr Iddon over his prior ties to the Labor Party.

“On January 6 this year, Mr Iddon was one of the key people standing proudly at an ALP media event in Gympie, where none other than the Prime Minister himself, Anthony Albanese, was the headline act,” Mr O’Brien said.

“That’s why I was so surprised when, just four weeks later, Mr Iddon publicly announced his candidacy as an Independent. “One minute he’s smiling for family snaps with Albo, and the next he’s styling himself as a fiercely anti-major-party crusader.

In a Facebook post Thursday morning following a request for reply to Mr Iddon’s comments, MP Llew O’Brien again defended his record and questioned Mr Iddon’s campaign choices.

“Once becoming a self-proclaimed Independent, it didn’t take Mr Iddon long to trot out Labor’s long-outdated attacks on me and my police service.

“He neglected to mention I was awarded medals for ethical and diligent service just prior to retiring from the Queensland Police Service; that doesn’t suit his narrative.

This was in addition to “his big criticism of the ALP” being “over it putting the CFMEU into administration” .

“The same CFMEU which had the whistle blown on it for illegal behaviour and links to organised crime,” Mr O’Brien said.

He said criticism was directed at him corners whose social media presence crossed over with Mr Iddon’s during the campaign, too.

“For years, this internet troll has targeted the Wide Bay electorate office and its staff, the offices of other elected officials, businesses, and private citizens including my family members and supporters with (their) vile commentary.”

Mr O’Brien said this included putting up “illegal” signage ultimately removed by the state’s Transport Department.

The department has strict rules governing the political signs erected along on roads.

“The troll’s mix of cowardice and venom has no place in a civil political contest — and neither does a candidate who chooses to embrace it,” Mr O’Brien said.

Mr O’Brien said he made the comment in response to media inquiries “ to provide a statement I can refer anyone to if the matter is raised again”.