Peter Ristevski convicted for printing fake election flyer targeting Holsworthy MP Tina Ayyad

A one-time politician who produced fake and discriminatory election flyers of now state MP Tina Ayyad – claiming she wanted to ban pork products and create a Muslim stronghold – has had his day in court.

Peter Ristevski, a former councillor and accountant manager, was sentenced for printing fake, racist pamphlets without authorisation about now-state MP Tina Ayyad. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A political rival has been fined after he tried to “damage the credibility” of Holsworthy MP only days before the state election.

Peter Ristevski, 50, was convicted of distributing a fake racist, smear flyer to houses in Barden Ridge that did not have an author or printer listed as required under electoral rules.

The former Liverpool councillor delivered the fake pamphlets to letterboxes on March 16 with the face of Tina Ayyad – Holsworthy Liberal MP and wife of Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun – on the front and the slogan “let’s promote Islamisation vote for me”.

The reverse had Ms Ayyad’s name spelt incorrectly and “facts” about her which negatively highlighted her Muslim faith.

The flyer said Ms Ayyad changed her name from Faten to Tina and states “I am a Muslim”, claimed she was not a local, did not “resonate with Holsworthy”.

At the time the flyer was distributed, Holsworthy candidate and now MP said she was “I was appalled, disgusted and disheartened when I saw the flyer”. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“My husband, the Liverpool Council mayor, banned pork at council events. Let’s ban pork products at Parliament House,” the flyer said. “Let’s make Holsworthy a Muslim stronghold. Your vote will help me achieve this.”

Ristevski was charged and pleaded guilty to printing electoral material that did not show name of an instructee and printing electoral material not showing the name of the printer.

The flyer

In Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday, Magistrate Philip Stewart said the flyer was “utter nonsense” created by Ristevski who had a different political view to Ms Ayyad.

He said Ristevski’s claim he was “ignorant” to the rules – which state election material that is distributed within the regulation period must legibly show the name and address of an individual on whose instructions the material was printed, as well as the name of the printer and address at which it was printed – was “no excuse”.

Mr Stewart said the flyer had an anti-Muslim focus and although Ristevksi was not sentenced for the content, he was to be punished for the “anonymity” of the material, noting he was “subverting the political process” and distributed it for “political gain.”

Mr Stewart said compliance with the electoral material rules was “important to democracy” and it was not a “trivial” offences.

The reverse side of the flyer.

Ms Ayyad said she preferred not to comment on the outcome of the case because there were ongoing civil matters related to the flyer.

“I would like to thank NSW Police for their hard work and the community of Holsworthy for their well wishes,” she said.

Councillor Ristevski accused Ned Mannoun of forcing “a complete Islamisation” of Liverpool. Picture: Tim Hunter

The court heard Ristevski created the flyer prior to the regulation period and published it on a community Facebook page using his own profile.

The court also heard media coverage of the case had caused Ristevski “embarrassment”.

Mr Stewart took into account that Ristevski ran an accounting business and would have to declare a conviction, noting a number of character references.

Ristevski, with a support person, outside court. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The court heard Ristevski was a “pillar of the Macedonian community”, served on a chamber of commerce and assisted with local rugby league club.

Ristevski was convicted and fined $1500 for each charge.

Outside court, Ristevski said he admitted to the “admin error”, would “cop it on the chin” and accept the $3000 fine imposed, adding it would cost him more to appeal the sentence.

Ristevski said the contents of the flyer were “true”, he “stood by” the claims and did not owe Ms Ayyad an apology.

Ristevski was a political adversary of Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun, despite both being Liberal Party members, during their time serving on Liverpool Council.