Gaven Election Debates: Calls for action over LNP volunteer’s vile Meaghan Scanlon comments after live debate

AN LNP volunteer accused of writing vile social media posts about Gaven Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon will face a “disciplinary process”, according to a party spokesperson. WATCH THE GAVEN DEBATES HERE

AN LNP volunteer accused of writing vile social media posts about Gaven Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon will face a “disciplinary process”, according to a party spokesperson.

A report in the Bulletin detailed how the volunteer, working on the LNP campaign in Gaven, made comments in Facebook forums alleging Ms Scanlon has used her disabled brother to build her profile and branded her a “slut”.

The LNP’s immediate response was the volunteer had been stood down from the campaign.

A party spokesperson said the posts were “unacceptable in every way, sharp and form”.

“(The volunteer) has been taken off the campaign,” he said.

“He has been suspended and will face a disciplinary process.”

The LNP’s code of behaviour states possible outcomes of the process could include counselling, a formal apology, a formal warning, suspension or party expulsion.

The same code of behaviour classes classes sexually explicit social media posts, stalking and “obscene communications” as sexual harassment.

Senior Labor Minister Di Farmer told the Bulletin: “Deb Frecklington needed to act swiftly and decisively against this LNP volunteer and his disrespect for women.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon. Picture: Jerad Williams

“This is a black and white decision with not an ounce of grey in between. As a leader Deb Frecklington should be setting the example. The standard Deb Frecklington walks past is the standard she accepts - the very clear message she is sending is that it’s OK to disrespect women.”

Meanwhile, Ms Scanlon after a debate on Sky News on Friday with LNP candidate Kirsten Jackson, has urged voters to take her opponent’s advice.

Ms Scanlon said Ms Jackson had encouraged the electorate to judge the LNP on their past performance as an indicator of what a future LNP government would do.

“We know Deb Frecklington and the LNP have $26 billion in unfunded promises, and

haven’t laid out their plans on how they would meet their own budget goals,” Ms Scanlon said.

She said the LNP when last in power had sacked 4,400 health staff across the state, cut 500 teacher positions and 700 support staff and stopped planning work on the second M1

EARLIER:

AN ELECTION candidate in one of the Gold Coast’s most marginal seats has sensationally claimed the spread of COVID-19 is “not a pandemic” and dismissed lockdowns as “irrational”.

Gaven’s Civil Liberties and Motorists Party candidate Reyna Drake made the startling claim during Friday’s Bulletin election debate. She wants the border opened immediately.

LIVE AT 1.30: BULLETIN REPORTERS ANSWER YOUR ELECTION QUESTIONS

Asked how she would justify her position – and what qualified her to make those claims – Ms Drake said: “I am not qualified because I am not a doctor, however that does not mean I cannot comment on the matter.

“Any person with any rationale is able to look at other doctors and make their mind up accordingly.

“What’s happening right now is thousands of doctors saying, ‘This is irrational’. I do acknowledge some people have died, that is something we can never be happy about or condone.

“But what we have to acknowledge is every year thousands die from flu.”

Greens candidate for Gaven Sally Spain. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

More than 800 people have died in Victoria and dozens have died in Queensland from coronavirus since early March.

Asked why she had no social media presence, had not been present at prepoll booths or spoken to the public about her policy, Ms Drake said she was a late stage nominee.

“I joined this campaign quite late in the running because I became significantly concerned that the Government can just walk into our homes and take our children,” she said.

“We as a people seem to have lost a sense of autonomy.

“Our businesses and our lives have been absolutely destroyed because we’re supposed to put our trust in governments who have lied to us.”

The Greens’ Sally Spain, who ran in Currumbin in the previous election, was asked about her lack of election material and absence at polling booths.

“The Greens do not take big money, we don’t have the big signs, we don’t have the huge amounts of corporate donations to make the presence that seems to be necessary,” she said.

“I think my community presence is much more important.”

Ms Spain supported free public transport rather than the upgrade of the Coomera Connector.

Asked about preferences, Ms Spain said: “Preferences are the decision of every individual person at the booths.”

The debate follows an earlier forum involving sitting Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon and LNP challenger Kirsten Jackson.

Follow the debate live in the window above.