LNP Keppel and Rockhampton scratchies target rival candidates

In signs the LNP is becoming increasingly desperate in the knife-edge seats of Keppel and Rockhampton, “scratchies” have made a last minute appearance in voters’ letterboxes.

LNP 2024 State election material endorsed by Keppel candidate Nigel Hutton.

In signs the LNP is becoming increasingly desperate in the knife-edge seats of Keppel and Rockhampton, strange “scratchies” have made a last minute appearance in voters’ letterboxes.

The LNP election material cleverly printed to appear as its rivals’ work purports to “reveal” what electors are risking when they cast their vote for One Nation and also Margaret Strelow.

People able to scratch off a circle on the card to reveal negative outcomes on a range of issues if they vote for either.

Rockhampton Independent candidate Margaret Strelow was particularly shocked by the move by the LNP’s Donna Kirkland, having preferenced her second on her how-to-vote card.

Former long-time Rockhampton mayor and Independent candidate for the seat of Rockhampton Margaret Strelow has been one of the targets of LNP election material.

“I was surprised; it was unexpected,” the former long-time Rockhampton mayor said.

“It’s very misleading, it’s more than that - it’s a lie.”

But Ms Kirkland disputed the scratch cards were lies as it states risk on the back of the scratch card.

“An Independent will change nothing,” she said.

“It’s alerting our constituents they run a very real risk.”

Many locals have already cast their votes and while 33 per cent of 100 people said they voted for Donna Kirkland, Ms Strelow and Labor candidate Craig Marshall’s primary votes both sat at 22 per cent.

LNP candidate for the seat of Rockhampton Donna Kirkland has defended scratch card LNP election material.

The scratch card has seen some befuddled voters accuse Ms Strelow of being hypocritical because they believed it was her election material.

“I don’t think it’s achieved what they wanted, it’s confused some people,” she said.

“Also, there is the prospect of a minority government or hung parliament and Rockhampton could do very well having an Independent.”

Ms Strelow says even if she knew she would be the victim of the last minute election material blast, she would still preference the LNP second because “it is about what is best for Rockhampton”.

LNP candidate for the seat of Keppel Nigel Hutton has not responded to requests for comment about “scratchie” LNP election material.

Keppel LNP candidate Nigel Hutton did not respond to requests for comment about the cards.

Keppel scratchies headlined ‘One Nation Lottery’ and ‘play to lose’ printed with the party’s vibrant orange colour and logo have attempted to target hot contender for the Keppel seat, One Nation candidate James Ashby.

Mr Ashby said it was a demonstration of the LNP would lie, if elected for the next four years.

“I’ve always been clear I would put Labor and The Greens last,” he said.

The One Nation hopeful for the seat of Keppel, James Ashby, has blasted LNP election material. Photo: Steve Vit.

He said it showed desperation and indicated it must have been pre-planned.

“I was very disappointed,” Mr Ashby said.

Senator Pauline Hanson’s high-profile right-hand man nabbed 32 per cent of the primary of early exit polling of 100 people, compared to 42 per cent for Mr Hutton and 25 per cent for Ms Lauga.