LNP compiled dossiers on Labor MPs before last election, leaked internal emails show
THE LNP compiled dossiers on Labor MPs before the last election, spreading the information through a viral network of grassroots members organised by the party's headquarters.
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THE LNP compiled dossiers on Labor MPs before the last election, spreading the information through a viral network of grassroots members organised by the party's headquarters.
Internal emails obtained by The Courier-Mail reveal the LNP used a "rapid message response unit" before the 2009 poll to disseminate material on Labor members and candidates.
The 2009 dossiers were the same "SWOT" style analysis as the current versions paid for by the LNP from a Labor insider which are packed full of lurid details of sex and sleaze.
Revelations that the LNP has previously compiled and distributed detailed information on Labor MPs casts doubt on its claims that the current dirt files were known only to two senior staffers and never used.
It will further fracture tense relations within the LNP after Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney and party president Bruce McIver yesterday exchanged public barbs.
In one email sent on February 5, 2009, LNP campaign worker Ben Scott touted for members to become involved in a unit to spread information on Labor MPs to the media.
"This component will focus on the ALP and key messages produced and taken from SWOT analysis conducted on ALP MPs and Candidates with regards to their specific weaknesses and failures," Mr Scott's email said.
Mr McIver said the LNP was looking at its opponents all the time but insisted he did not know if previous information gathered on Labor MPs included the same crude details as the current material.
"I have never, ever, ever seen one," he said.
An LNP spokesman later insisted staff had compiled the material from internet searches.
"The research was conducted by LNP staff, and there was no inappropriate information contained in the material - it focused on Labor policy failures and weaknesses," the spokesman said. "It would be hypocritical for Labor to suggest that they do not undertake similar research."
As Mr McIver insisted there was nothing unusual about the LNP sweeping its office for bugs, he also faced off against a more obvious foe in Mr Seeney.
The Opposition Leader said if it was found that party office bearers, such as Mr McIver and the party's treasurer Barry O'Sullivan, were involved in ordering the dirt files then they should be forced to resign.
"We need to be careful we don't blame staffers, the people who run the organisation need to take the responsibility."
LNP campaign director James McGrath, who met with the author of the dirt files on numerous occasions, has borne the brunt of calls for sackings but was not employed by the party at the last election.
Mr McIver said he was not aware of these latest files either and Mr Seeney knew that.
LNP Leader Campbell Newman attempted to resolve the impasse, saying Mr McIver had assured him that no officials were involved and Mr Seeney had accepted this.
"Therefore I stand by my statements yesterday that the correct course of action was for the documents to be destroyed and the senior LNP staffers involved severely disciplined."
