Cowper candidates war of words over Facebook posts

Kermit the Frog lamented “it’s not easy being green” and that label has become a white hot talking point in the local federal seat of Cowper. Here’s why.

Green ‘shaming’ and a rogue Facebook account are at the centre of a spat between two high profile candidates for the seat of Cowper at the Federal Election.

Subtle pot-shots between the incumbent MP, The Nationals Pat Conaghan, and independent challenger Carolyn Heise, have grown into an open stoush in the run to the May 21 poll in Australia’s most populous electorate.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Conaghan likened his opponent to a greens sleeper agent, labelling Ms Heise’s movement as a “Teal campaign”.

The high profile independent has confirmed links with the body Climate 200 - stating in an ABC radio interview that it had kicked in about $40,000 toward her “grassroots” campaign.

“I can assure you that none of these grassroots community people are the evil far left,” Ms Heise said.

Caroline Heise: “It’s not about Pat (Conaghan), it’s about the government that he represents.”

“The evil far left component of what I think people are referring to is Climate 200.

“Climate 200 got in touch a couple of weeks after we kicked off our campaign and were so impressed by what we were doing that they wanted to fund our campaign manager and legal costs associated with setting up our campaign.

“Climate 200 have not put any input into my policy settings. They’ve not had any say into how we run our campaign.”

A Caz 4 Cowper post to Facebook.

At the centre of the storm between Mr Conaghan and Ms Heise has been a post by ‘Coffs Harbour Nationals’ Facebook page: “Tell your friends to continue to vote for Pat & not be conned by the enormous amount of money being spent by the forces of the Evil Far Left to get another “independent” in our Cowper!”

Mr Conaghan said that page is run by a private citizen of Coffs Harbour and is in no way an official party channel.

“All official political pages must be registered, and a ‘tick’ acquired. If there is no ‘tick’, then no content shared to that page is officially affiliated with a party or MP,” Mr Conaghan said.

“It’s become apparent that ‘Fairness, Honesty & Respect’ are not to be shown to myself or the population of Cowper who voted for me to represent them.”

Pat Conaghan: “It’s become apparent that ‘Fairness, Honesty & Respect’ are not to be shown to myself or the population of Cowper.”

Ms Heise said she had no personal issues with Mr Conaghan.

“It’s not about Pat, it’s about the government that he represents,” she said.

“He might be a nice man but he votes with the party on our behalf and he’s blocking real reform on things which we need change on.”

Ms Heise’s campaign Facebook page ‘Caz 4 Cowper’ has though argued that the “politics of fear” is in play on the Coffs Coast.

“In the interests of complete transparency I suppose now is the right time for me to confess to holding some ‘left’ tendencies,” Caz 4 Cowper posted.

“I don’t want people ‘left’ behind when fires and floods ravage Cowper like our friends up north have been.

“I don’t want some children ‘left’ wanting for school resources because The Nationals think rich schools for rich kids deserve even more taxpayer support.

“And I don’t want our natural environment ‘left’ decimated because of the corporate greed of dodgy donors.”

Mr Conaghan said he plans to move past the exchange, and focus on local issues.

“Over the next five weeks, I will be providing the people of Cowper with updates on the major projects that affect our community most, answering questions factually and honestly. From the Coffs Bypass to the Port Macquarie Tidal Pool, from record investment in clean technology to environmental policies both new and existing,” he said.

“I do not intend on spreading rumour, innuendo and artificially stoking anxiety within the community.”