ALP’s star candidate for Dunstan by-election, Cressida O’Hanlon embroiled in ‘integrity’ storm

Labor’s star candidate who is fighting a pivotal by-election has been accused in parliament of breaching integrity laws.

Cressida O'Hanlon is Labor's candidate for Dunstan. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Labor’s star candidate who is fighting a pivotal by-election has been accused in parliament of breaching integrity laws over claims her husband requested help with foreign aid while she was a political adviser.

Cressida O’Hanlon, 51, is fighting the state’s most marginal seat of Dunstan, against Liberal candidate Anna Finizio, 37, after former premier Steven Marshall quit earlier this month.

But under parliamentary privilege on Wednesday, the Opposition accused Ms O’Hanlon of breaching strict lobbying rules over correspondence with her husband James O’Hanlon, 50.

Premier Peter Malinauskas enjoying the Dunstan Adventure Playground in St Peters with his daughter Eliza and Dunstan candidate Cressida O'Hanlon. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The Liberals claimed a document, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, was an email sent from Mr O’Hanlon’s work address to his wife’s private Gmail account.

The Upper House was told the document was dated February 7 last year, during the period when she worked as an adviser to former state ALP secretary, and now MP Reggie Martin.

The document asked to seek a meeting with a minister or chief of staff to discuss how to deliver foreign aid and how to help provide humanitarian assistance or disaster relief.

Liberal MP Michelle Lensink told the Legislative Council that “this matter invites clear and serious questions”, answers of which could escalate to either police or “other high-level investigative bodies”.

Ms Lensink said the correspondence “has equally raised a broader issue” about requirements of the Lobbyists Act 2015.

“The email represents a request from James O’Hanlon for Cressida O’Hanlon to secure him a meeting with a government minister so that he can discuss securing taxpayer funds for his business,” she said.

She said it appeared neither the company, nor its director, were registered to lobby.

Penalties for breaches can range to fines or jail in extreme cases.

In a statement outside parliament on Wednesday night, a party spokesman attacked the Opposition’s “shameful act of cowardice”.

Liberal candidate for Dunstan Dr Anna Finizio with Liberal leader David Speirs at Norwood. Picture Brad Crouch

“If she has any accusations of wrongdoing, Michelle Lensink should make them outside the cover of parliamentary privilege” he said.

“The fact that she won’t tell you all you need to know.

“Mr O’Hanlon’s business does not engage in lobbying, nor is it required to be registered as a lobbyist. The business has not received a cent from the State Government.”

Ms O’Hanlon contested the seat at the 2022 state election, when she secured a 6.9 per cent swing to the Labor Party and Mr Marshall won with a 0.5 per cent margin.

Mr Martin declined to comment. Neither Ms O’Hanlon nor her husband commented.

The by-election is next month.

Originally published as ALP’s star candidate for Dunstan by-election, Cressida O’Hanlon embroiled in ‘integrity’ storm