Currumbin by-election: Labor candidate Kaylee Campradt accuses LNP of ‘targeting’ her

Labor’s candidate for a key Gold Coast seat has lashed the LNP with claims of dirty tricks, saying her campaign is being sabotaged, with volunteers “targeted” and campaign signs torn down.

CLAIMS of dirty tricks have emerged in the bitter by-election battle for Currumbin.

Labor candidate Kaylee Campradt has taken to Facebook to accuse the LNP of ‘targeting’ her volunteers and tearing down her campaign signs in the key southern Gold Coast seat.

“This is a bit of a sad update,” Ms Campradt posted on her campaign page on Monday night.

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“Our team has been working really hard running our local, people-powered campaign to win the Currumbin by-election on March 28.

“From our little office in Tugun we’ve been calling locals, coordinating our team of volunteers and giving out lots of yard signs and stickers for excited supporters to display on their fences.

“We’ve been going really well so far, but I think our momentum has made our opponents nervous...

“Over the weekend we heard that the LNP have been bussing in volunteers from Brisbane, and paying them in beer. They were out in force over the weekend and I wish I had better news.

Labor’s Currumbin candidate Kaylee Campradt launches her campaign at Currumbin RSL. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“Our volunteers were targeted, many of our signs destroyed or taken and a flood of LNP signs unleashed in their place.

“Lots of locals are really angry about this and I am too. That’s not how we have ever done things down here, and I won’t put it up with it. Now is the time to send a message to the LNP and show them we have what they don’t - real, local supporters.”

“Can you show your support with a sticker or sign to replace the many that were destroyed?”

Laura Gerber, the LNP candidate in the forthcoming Currumbin by-election. Pics Adam Head

Ms Campradt is taking on the LNP’s Laura Gerber in the by-election following the shock resignation of veteran conservative MP Jann Stuckey.

LNP powerbroker angered Mrs Stuckey and local party members when they snubbed Currumbin branch president Chris Crawford for pre-selection.

Mrs Stuckey, who resigned citing mental health issues, later accused the party of wanting ‘any skirt’ for the seat.

Originally published as Currumbin by-election: Labor candidate Kaylee Campradt accuses LNP of ‘targeting’ her