Albo’s bizarre claim on Andrew Charlton’s alleged poll breach

The Liberal Party will ask for an investigation into an alleged electoral law breach by Labor’s star candidate for Parramatta after Anthony Albanese bizarrely claimed he was not aware of the issue.

The Liberal Party will ask for an investigation into an alleged electoral law breach by Labor’s star candidate for Parramatta.

The news comes after Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese bizarrely claimed he was not aware Andrew Charlton had become embroiled in a potential enrolment fraud scandal before pushing responsibility to act onto the electoral body just minutes later.

A Liberal Party campaign spokesman confirmed the Australian Electoral Commission had been asked to look into the matter on Saturday.

“This afternoon, the Liberal Party will write to the AEC, requesting an investigation into potential electoral law breaches by Mr Charlton,” he said.

Millionaire Charlton – who was parachuted into the Western Sydney seat of Parramatta – blamed an “oversight” for breaching electoral laws by listing his wife’s Woollahra rental property as his place of residence.

Confronted with the issue on Saturday, Mr Albanese claimed he was “not aware of the issue which you raise so I can’t comment”.

Pressed on the matter minutes later, the Opposition Leader refused to say what action he would take on Mr Charlton.

But Mr Albanese had himself earlier this week called on the Prime Minister to “take action” on the “serious issue” of the LNP’s candidate for Lilley being referred to the federal police after allegedly listing his enrolment address as a dilapidated unfurnished home he didn’t live in.

Parramatta candidate Andrew Charlton. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I do want to say that the Prime Minister needs to do more to respond to the referral of the candidate for Lilley to the AFP,” Mr Albanese said at the time.

Mr Lobo has maintained he had the “intention to move in straight away” to the place he had leased but was delayed due to campaign commitments and trouble getting tradies in to make the place liveable.

“The electoral commission took action on that and referred the candidate for Lilley to the AFP, I expect the rules to always be upheld,” Mr Albanese said.

“I expect the rules to always be upheld”.

Liberal Party federal director Andrew Hirst on Saturday wrote to the AEC to make them "aware of matters concerning potential breaches of electoral laws" by Labor's candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton.

"I refer you to a report in The Daily Telegraph on 14 May 2022 in which Mr Charlton confirmed that he is enrolled at a property in Woollahra, NSW," Mr Hirst said in the letter seen by News Corp.

"According to the same media report, Mr Charlton has publicly stated that his details are incorrect and that he failed to correctly update the electoral register. Parramatta.

"We ask the AEC to investigate these matters – including whether Mr Charlton’s nomination form was correctly completed – and ensure any actions are consistent with the AEC’s approach to other candidates." Mr Hirst asked the AEC to provide him with a "timely consideration of this matter".

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese pictured in Darwin today. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It is not uncommon for politicians to live outside the electorates they are vying for, but providing false declarations to the enrolment body is a crime punishable by up to 12 months in prison or a $12,600 fine.

This comes in the face of Labor’s campaign strategy of striking at the heart of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s credibility and trustworthiness.

Labor has rolled out attack ads weaponising criticism of Mr Morrison from his own side, with frontbenchers on Mr Albanese’s team even branding the Prime Minister a “pathological liar” on certain issues.

Mr Charlton campaigning with Mr Albanese at a community dinner with the Hindu Council of Australia, Park Royal Parramatta. Picture: Liam Kidston

Campaigning on an island off Cairns on Friday, Mr Albanese said people were “onto this bloke” and that voters “don’t trust him”.

The Coalition has demanded the breach by Mr Charlton be referred to the AFP. There is no suggestion either man has engaged in fraud.

“Mr Charlton’s admission means Labor must meet the standard they have set and refer their candidate to the AFP for investigation,” a Coalition campaign spokesman said.

“Given Labor have said other candidates accused of this very offence should be disendorsed, it is on Mr Albanese to justify how Mr Charlton can still be Labor’s candidate for Parramatta.”

When Mr Lobo was officially referred to the AFP Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt called on the Prime Minister to publicly stand down Mr Lobo and suspend the LNP’s campaign in Lilley

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