Liberal candidate for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad condemns racist smear pamphlet

A Liberal candidate in SW Sydney is ‘disgusted’ after racist fake pamphlets were distributed targeting her Muslim faith and bearing the slogan “let’s promote Islamisation vote for me”.

Tina Ayyad the Liberal candidate vying for the state seat of Holsworthy has been targeted by a racist smear campaign two weeks before the election. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A Liberal candidate vying for the state seat of Holsworthy has condemned a fake racially-motivated flyer distributed about her to voters.

This week fake pamphlets were delivered to households in Australia Road, Barden Ridge with Tina Ayyad’s face on the front and the slogan, “let’s promote Islamisation vote for me”.

The reverse has Ms Ayyad’s name spelt incorrectly and “facts” about her that negatively highlight her Muslim faith.

A Liberal candidate vying for the state seat of Holsworthy has been targeted by a racist smear campaign 10 days out from the election. Picture: Supplied

“I was appalled, disgusted and disheartened when I saw the flyer and I condemn the hatred and racism the pamphlet represents. It doesn’t belong in the community,” Ms Ayyad said exclusively to the Daily Telegraph.

“I’m my own person and my own woman working in the field; working hard to advocate for the people of Holsworthy.

“I have never hidden my Islamic faith and that I am Muslim but my focus is on moving NSW forward with a strong economic plan.

“Religion is private and if someone wants to know about mine then they can feel free to ask me but I don’t want racism and hatred floating around on a pamphlet.”

The list of fake ‘facts’ about Liberal candidate Tina Ayyad on the back of a discriminatory flyer letterboxed to homes in the seat of Holsworthy. Picture: Supplied

Ms Ayyad is married to Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun and the couple have three children together.

Mr Mannoun said the attempted smear “failed” because Ms Ayyad was “strong” and “formidable”.

“The community has seen the talent and strength she has as a former teacher, a mother of three, and a hard-working candidate spending every hour fighting for the community,” he said.

Barden Ridge resident Christine said she was shocked when she saw the flyer on the weekend.

“I had to read it twice, I couldn’t believe what it was saying,” she said. “It doesn’t matter to me what faith someone is, it was wrong to highlight it.

“It was such a dreadful piece of cardboard to find in the letterbox.”

Christine said Ms Ayyad and Mr Mannoun visited her on Wednesday to discuss the flyer and spoke to her about her real policies.

“It was nice she came around to speak to us personally,” she said. “It was such a dreadful piece of cardboard to find in the letterbox.”

Liberal candidate for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad has been targeted in a smear pamphlet. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Ms Ayyad said she received an “extremely positive response” from the community who offered her support and encouragement since the flyer was distributed.

In Holsworthy, Christianity was the largest religious group reported overall at 53.9 per cent in the 2021 Census. Muslims made up 14.7 per cent of the population.

Liberal candidate for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad with Premier Dominic Perrottet during the state election campaign. Picture: Facebook

It is unclear which group or individual disseminated the fake pamphlet and how many households it was delivered to.

Ms Ayyad confirmed she reported the flyers to the NSW Electoral Commission and police.

A commission spokeswoman said the organisation reviewed all allegations it becomes aware of but would not comment on specific matters.

Tina Ayyad with Premier Dominic Perrottet at a press conference while on the hustings. Picture: Facebook

Melanie Gibbons, who is named in the flyer, represented Holsworthy since 2015 but lost preselection and was thrown a lifeline as the last-minute Liberal candidate for Kiama.

Ms Gibbons said residents had contacted her electoral office to raise their concerns about the flyer

“It is disappointing to see people’s religious beliefs used in a negative light,” she said.