Vicious scandal sheet smears Liberal candidate Tim Wilson

STAR Liberal candidate Tim Wilson is at the centre of a “grubby and homophobic” smear campaign days out from preselection for the blue-riband seat of Goldstein.

Tim Wilson, Human Rights Commissioner appearing at a Senate Estimates hearing on Legal and Constitutional Affairs at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

• Human Rights Commissioner to seek Liberal seat preselection

STAR Liberal candidate Tim Wilson is at the centre of a “grubby and homophobic” smear campaign days out from preselection for the blue-riband seat of Goldstein.

A vicious scandal sheet was posted to party members in the bayside electorate this week attacking the former human rights commissioner’s views on gay issues.

Mr Wilson, who is openly gay, is described in the three-page material as a “proud supporter of the Safe Schools Coalition” and was also criticised for his views on same-sex marriage and adoption.

The material, which claims to be from the fictitious Bayside Community Coalition, also contains news stories about Mr Wilson’s expenses while he worked in his taxpayer-funded role.

It has outraged candidates and senior party figures who are understood to be investigating its origin.

Liberals were cautious not to make accusations as to where it came from, but one said it was “pathetic and disgusting university politics”.

Party rules do not let candidates speak to the media about preselection issues.

Mr Wilson helped launched the Safe School Coalition, an anti-bullying campaign des­igned to raise awareness about the plight of gay, lesbian and transgender children.

But he has since raised concerns with the Federal Government over some parts of the program and its age appropriateness.

A former senior member of the Institute of Public Affairs, he is regarded as a leading candidate to win preselection against Georgina Downer, the daughter of former federal minister Alexander Downer, and international relations ­expert Denis Dragovic.

Mr Dragovic has the backing of many local branches, with almost 300 eligible voters, but the 60-odd state council delegates are likely to favour Mr Wilson or Ms Downer.

Both Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott have backed Mr Wilson, as have moderate Liberal Senator Simon Birming­ham and arch-conservative Cory Bernardi.

Ms Downer has also been endorsed by Mr Turnbull, former premier Jeff Kennett and Mr Robb, as well as Victorian federal ministers Greg Hunt and Josh Frydenberg.

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