2GB host Luke Grant behind fake Jodi McKay Twitter account

A FAKE Twitter account that makes smutty jokes about a convicted paedophile is allegedly the work of 2GB radio host Luke Grant. Is nothing sacred at ICAC?

Launch of MTR 1377 radio station. Luke Grant with Steve Bedwell

RADIO host Luke Grant has been revealed as the alleged source of a twitter account that mocked his former breakfast show co-host and Labor MP Jodi McKay.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption heard today from Hugh Thomson, the campaign manager of Ms McKay’s Liberal rival Tim Owen.

Ms McKay was subjected to an aggressive and ultimately successful smear campaign to remove her from the seat of Newcastle in 2011, which was allegedly funded in part by Nathan Tinkler’s company Buildev.

Today Mr Thomson said that 2GB frontman Mr Grant, who once co-hosted 2HD’s breakfast show with Ms McKay, was behind a fake twitter account @JodiDecayMP.

The account included distasteful references to disgraced former state Labor minister Milton Orkopoulos, who was sentenced to at least nine years in jail for 30 charges including possessing child pornography, heroin supply and sexual intercourse without consent.

Can I get Milton O out on day release to work a polling booth for me? #nswvotes

— Jodi Decay (@JodiDecayMP) March 24, 2011

Hop on top of us, where's Milt Orkopoulos. Little insiders joke xx

— Jodi Decay (@JodiDecayMP) March 19, 2011

While most of the 59 tweets were fairly run-of-the mill jibes:

I will announce today that if returned I will ban nasty men from the liberal party and build new swings in Darby St. #nswvotes

— Jodi Decay (@JodiDecayMP) March 11, 2011

You should wear heavy gloves when shredding to protect from paper cuts.

— Jodi Decay (@JodiDecayMP) March 16, 2011

My boss is in town today, would it be wrong to wear "carbon black"??

— Jodi Decay (@JodiDecayMP) March 14, 2011

Others were just plain wrong.

After the election I could be knights coach I have a mean step but I drop plenty of balls! #nswvotes

— Jodi Decay (@JodiDecayMP) March 18, 2011

The big one is hung like a cricket #prime7sucks #nswvotes

— Jodi Decay (@JodiDecayMP) March 20, 2011

The radio host told the inquiry earlier this week that he had been in the running to be the Liberal party’s candidate for Newcastle, but had agreed to make way for Mr Owen.

Mr Grant eventually assisted Mr Owen’s campaign, as a media strategist, for which it was agreed he would be paid about $20,000 for two months work. It has since emerged that the radio host invoiced two developers for this work: Hilton Grugeon’s Hunter Land as well as Newcastle Lord Mayor and developer Jeff McCloy’s McCloy Administration.

Mr Owen, who was elected as the Newcastle MP in 2011, resigned yesterday after admitting to lying about receiving $10,000 from Mr McCloy.

Charleston MP Andrew Cornwell also quit after admitting to taking $20,000 from property developers.

Property developers have been banned from making political donations in NSW since 2009.

In earlier ICAC hearings, it was revealed that Ms McKay was targeted by her own senior ALP colleagues, former minister Joe Tripodi and Hunter party member Ann Wilson, during the 2011 state election campaign.

It followed her decision to reject an alleged “bribe” from Buildev shareholder Nathan Tinker to secretly fund her campaign. She also opposed his plans for a $2 billion coal-loader at Mayfield.

Days before the 2011 election, which saw Ms McKay lose her seat, anonymous leaflets warning against her preferred option to the coal-loader project, were delivered to thousands of homes in her electorate, which investigators later linked to her Labor colleagues Mr Tripodi and Ms Wills.

The inquiry has heard Buildev funded two grassroots campaigns to unseat Ms McKay.

Mr Watson said the Labor Party was also involved in the form of former ministers Mr Tripodi and Eric Roozendaal, who took steps to help Buildev in its campaign against Ms McKay.

“The evidence gathered so far suggests their conduct was quite out of step with their parliamentary or ministerial responsibilities, and that each, quite improperly, took steps to benefit Buildev,” Mr Watson said.

The inquiry was also shown emails between Buildev employees David Sharpe and Darren Williams shortly after one campaign against Ms McKay began.

“Good start Willie kick the s*** out of her,” the email from Mr Sharpe said.

The hearings continue.