Postie caught dumping LNP postal vote applications in Redbank Plains

Australia Post has been embroiled in a democracy scandal after a postie was caught on camera dumping hundreds of postal vote mailers into a wheelie bin in a marginal Queensland seat before returning to try to bribe the furious homeowner. SEE THE VIDEO

Australia Post has been embroiled in a democracy scandal after a postie was caught on camera dumping hundreds of postal vote mailers into a wheelie bin in a marginal Queensland seat before returning to try to bribe the fiery homeowner.

Australian Federal Police confirmed it had “received a referral in relation to an alleged dumping of Federal Election-related mail articles”, with an Australia Post investigator also visiting the Weller house on Friday.

It is alleged, as viewed in CCTV footage, an Australia Post postie sidled up to a wheelie bin outside a home in the Ipswich suburb of Redbank Plains, and dumped at least 500 LNP branded postal vote applications.

Annette Weller, Kevin Weller, Senator Paul Scarr with the dumped mailers.

Resident Annette Weller said she went out to put something in the bin and called out to her husband Kevin, who reviewed home CCTV footage to reveal what had occurred.

Ms Weller said she rang LNP Senator Paul Scarr, who is based in the area, after the mail was dumped on Thursday afternoon and took the bin in for safe keeping.

But the postie later returned and when confronted about the dump denied any involvement until Ms Weller revealed she had video footage.

“He said I’m sorry then drove off, five minutes later drove into (my) driveway and opened up his wallet and tried to (bribe) me $10,” she said.

“I saw red, I just lost my s***, told him to f-off. It’s disgusting.”

The postie is seen riding off after a confrontation with the homeowner.

Ms Weller told A Current Affair (ACA) she was sympathetic to the postman’s situation but he picked the wrong bin to dump the letters in.

“If he was busy, and I realised that they’re busy at the moment with all of the voting papers and stuff, he could have rung and asked for help,” Ms Weller said.

“He was very unlucky, and he did pick the wrong person.”

Senator Scarr said he “expected more” from Australia Post customer after paying $13,000 for the postal vote mailouts, and called for a thorough investigation into the business.

“I was so disappointed. I think people have a right to expect better from Australia Post,” he told ACA.

“Australia Post is an institution and it raises a lot of questions in my mind, how widespread it is?”

“I expect as a customer of Australia Post, for Australia Post to deliver the mail and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

He praised Ms Weller for her “heroic” quick actions.

“Annette’s a hero, she’s seen something that’s been done wrong and has called it out and she’s brought it to our attention.”

Australia Post chief executive Paul Graham confirmed the postie involved had been “suspended effective immediately” and said the company took “full responsibility” for the “completely unacceptable” behaviour.

Mr Graham, in a statement, apologised “unreservedly” on behalf of Australia Post.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will continue to reinforce with our team the important role that we play during elections and adherence to our procedures and service commitment,” he said.

The seat of Blair is the second most marginal seat in Queensland, and is held by Labor with a 1.21 per cent margin.

It is one of the few seats the LNP is targeting to potentially flip blue in Queensland, where it already holds a high watermark 23 out of 30 electorates.

Originally published as Postie caught dumping LNP postal vote applications in Redbank Plains