Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker rejects claims he distributed home addresses in election campaign

A Sydney mayor has hit back at claims he distributed private addresses of residents to a third-party campaign in the lead up to the state elections.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker has denied allegations he distributed private information of Yarra Bay residents from the electoral roll, following a formal complaint referred to the NSW Electoral Commission.

Supplied Editorial Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker. Picture: Randwick Council

NewsLocal understands the commission is reviewing allegations lodged against the Labor mayor, which claims he “improperly accessed the electoral roll during the 2019 state election, to assist a third party campaigner in Maroubra”.

Cr Parker said the “allegations are absolutely false and untrue and are obviously politically-motivated”.

“I have never provided details of any electors on the electoral roll to unauthorised persons because it is against the law,” he said.

Yarra Bay 16ft Skiff Club

The complainant told the electoral commission Cr Parker was “actively involved and benefited from Save the Bay”, while working for Maroubra state Labor MP Michael Daley.

He said a how-to-vote card “was sent out to the electorate in the lead up to the 2019 election”.

The Save the Bay Coalition campaigned against the approval of a cruise ship terminal being built in Yarra Bay.

Save the Bay Coalition convenor Maria Poulos said she worked alongside Cr Parker to “help save Yarra Bay”.

A huge crowd gathers on Yarra bay beach as Hundreds pack the inside of the Yarra bay Sailing club to protest against a proposed Cruise ship terminal in Yarra bay. Picture: John Appleyard

“He has never provided me or anyone else that I know with details on the electoral roll,” she said.

A NSW Electoral Commission spokesman said a “registered party, member or candidate must not use or disclose enrolment information that is provided by the Electoral Commissioner, except for a purpose in connection with an election and monitoring the accuracy of enrolment information kept and maintained by the Electoral Commissioner”.

Pictured L-R Maria Paulos, Save the Bay Coalition, Lindsay Shurey, Mayor of Randwick City Barry Wallace, Yarra Bay Sailing Club Michael Daley MP, Member for Maroubra, Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Federal member for kingsford Smith, Ron Hoening MP federal member for Heffron, at the Cruise terminal public meeting at the Yarra Bay Sailing Club Sunday September 23 (AAP Image/Monique Harmer)

“Use of enrolment information for a commercial purpose is strictly prohibited,” he said.

“Any allegation of a breach of NSW electoral legislation should be reported to the NSW Electoral Commission.

“A person must not disclose protected information unless the disclosure would be a use of the information for a permitted purpose — accordingly, the purpose of a disclosure must be considered to assess whether it is permitted.”

NewsLocal understands a handwritten letter was delivered by an unaddressed mail service, while how-to-vote cards were handed out on election day.