Federal election: ‘Mean girl’ politicking rampant in Richmond

‘Schoolyard cat fight’: Richmond candidates for the Federal election heat up over allegations of overly aggressive politicking.

The Federal election campaign for the seat of Richmond is heating up among the top three parties with allegations of overly aggressive politicking, lies, foul language and intimidation tactics.

Greens candidate for Richmond Mandy Nolan said many of her female volunteers had reported feeling harassed and unsafe in some booths by male Labor Party volunteers.

“Our volunteers have witnessed some Labor volunteers pushing and shoving, swearing, shouting and even using racial slurs,” Ms Nolan said.

“I have witnessed and experienced it first-hand.”

Ms Nolan said the voting process should be respectful and democratic.

“Behaving in an aggressive manner towards women volunteers and to myself echoes the sexist culture we have seen in parliament – especially when it‘s the staff of the incumbent,” Ms Nolan said.

“When I told this young man his behaviour was sexist and inappropriate he turned around and started making hand signs to the other men there.

“This is the behaviour that makes women feel unsafe. It‘s not politics. It’s cultural. I won’t tolerate this. No one should,” Ms Nolan said.

Incumbent Justine Elliot posted on social media a day later complaining “greens activists” were following her around with their cameras in her face to intimidate her.

“As I write this post a man from the Greens Party has his camera in my face,” Mrs Elliot said.

“A man and a woman filmed me constantly for two hours – it was particularly annoying and offensive for people coming into vote.

“One particular man was in my face when I was having a private conversation and under NSW law you can’t film that.”

Mrs Elliot said it was obviously Greens activists tactics.

“Individuals raised with me the issue of privacy and one resident was a domestic violence survivor and was concerned with where the video would end up.”

Mrs Elliot said her main concern was the privacy for people coming in to vote.

Antagonism between the top three parties for Richmond continues as the candidates jostle for position in what will be a tight election.

Nationals candidate Kimberly Hone said she is “working in the mud, not throwing it” in a defensive statement after describing Elliot-Albanese Labor attack on her as “bullying, mean-girl behaviour” that was no substitute for much-needed regional leadership.

“I am running in this election to serve the community, to listen to their needs and proactively fight for them as I’ve always done in all of my social service positions,” Ms Hone said.

“Now, in our community’s darkest hours, you will find me helping at evacuations centres and working in the mud with our locals, where I have been everyday since the floods hit.”

Ms Hone said she refused to be “dragged down to a schoolyard cat fight.”

“It’s important to me that I show my daughters how they can impact the world with basic respect and integrity,” she insisted.

“I wish Ms Elliot all the best as I continue to be a positive voice for my community,” Ms Hone concluded.

NewsCorp conducted a survey of Australia’s pre-polling booths with Richmond prepoll survey showing a tight race that will come down to preferences.

Despite the politicking ruckus both candidates have placed the other as second preference on their ‘how to vote’ cards.