Election 2022: Gilmore, Eden-Monaro targeted by One Nation ‘ghost’ candidates

Liberal candidate Andrew Constance has defended his decision to put One Nation candidate Jerremy Eid ahead of his Labor rival, as controversy grows around the party’s “ghost” candidates.

Liberal candidate Andrew Constance has defended his decision to put One Nation candidate Jerremy Eid ahead of his Labor rival, as new details emerge into the controversial party’s “ghost” candidates.

The Sydney-born man was declared as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate for the South Coast seat earlier this year, but has failed to appear at numerous candidate forums or events.

Mr Eid’s page on the One Nation party website does not include any images of the Gilmore hopeful, instead displaying Ms Hanson with a candidate from another electorate.

According to the website, Mr Eid was born and bred in Sydney, but after witnessing what he called the “slow demise of his country” over the past few years, was prompted to run for the seat of Gilmore.

“I dedicated 10 years of my life to the hospital system which taught me Australia’s health care was broken,” he said.

The how-to-vote cards for One Nation candidates Jerremy Eid and Boyd Shannon do not display the candidates’ image. Picture: One Nation website

“I did not think I would be running for politics, however I can no longer watch the current government treat Australians the way they have been the last few years and watch the system fail people.”

Mr Eid said he wanted to be a voice that stands up for those who cannot do it for themselves, and that the Australia he grew up in has changed into something many people longer recognise as home.

The South Coast News reached out to Mr Eid through the Gilmore electorate email for the One Nation party, with questions about his candidacy and on issues in Gilmore, but did not receive a response.

In recent days, it’s become clear Mr Eid is not alone.

Boyd Shannon is currently listed as One Nation’s candidate for Eden-Monaro, after Gerard Nicol was forced to withdraw last month after controversial comments about women surfaced.

The website page for One Nation candidates Boyd Shannon does not display any information. Picture: One Nation website

But, Mr Shannon’s page on the One Nation website also does not include an image of the candidate on the how-to-vote card, nor any information or bio – the page displays a black area only.

Ms Hanson has come under fire in the past week for her so-called “ghost” candidates, candidates competing in electorates in which they do not have any presence, have not actively campaigned, or do not live. The move is seen as a way of raising the party’s image nationally.

In light of the news, Liberal candidate for Gilmore Andrew Constance defended his decision to urge voters to preference the “ghost” candidate ahead of his Labor and Greens rivals.

“It make sense to put your main opponents last,” he said.

“In terms of One Nation, it’s pretty clear they’re running a candidate to maximise their senate vote, but I think the big thing is I’m not going to comment about them.

Gilmore candidate Andrew Constance at the Manildra plant in Bomaderry. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

“I’m going to focus, like I have right through this campaign, in a positive way on the community.”

Mr Constance hit out at his Labor rivals for their own preferences, stating that it was “hypocritical” for the party given its choice to preference The Greens and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

“I can tell you now, if they want to talk about what’s going on, there’s a party (the Shooters party) who want to bring semi automatic rifles back after what John Howard did,” he said.

“Labor’s very happy to get into bed there.”