‘Disappointing’: Josh Frydenberg breaks silence on removal of Guide Dogs Victoria boss

The Treasurer has broken his silence after the boss of Guide Dogs Victoria was stood down for appearing in his re-election material.

Josh Frydenberg has broken his silence over the “deeply disappointing” decision to stand down the Guide Dogs Victoria chief executive for appearing material promoting his re-election.

Karen Hayes featured on election flyers distributed in the Treasurer’s seat of Kooyong and in paid ads posted to his Facebook page.

The letter to residents was signed “Karen, Chief Executive Officer, Guide Dogs Victoria” while the video featured Ms Hayes praising Mr Frydenberg while standing in front of the organisations signage.

Mr Frydenberg pulled the ads after a complaint from Guide Dogs Victoria last week.

The flyer at the centre of the furore.

In a fresh statement on Tuesday, Guide Dogs Victoria confirmed Ms Hayes had been stood down pending an investigation.

“Following the distribution of political materials that included comments from the CEO purporting to be on behalf of Guide Dogs Victoria and publicly endorsing a political candidate,” the statement said.

“The board had no knowledge of this and did not endorse it. The independent investigation is underway and is ongoing.

“The purpose of the investigation is to understand what happened and ensure it never happens again.”

Speaking with Sky News, Mr Frydenberg labelled the decision “deeply disappointing”.

“Karen Hayes has been an outstanding, effective CEO of the Guide Dogs for more than a decade,” he said.

“I have worked closely with this wonderful charity, Guide Dogs, on its new infrastructure projects. And I’m very pleased and proud that a Coalition government has been able to support them.”

Mr Frydenberg has called the decision deeply disappointing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Under Australian charity and not-for-profit regulations, charities must not “promote or oppose a political party or a candidate for political office” or risk losing registration.

Last week, Mr Frydenberg dodged questions whether the material violated charity rules, suggesting the backlash was “confected outrage” from his opponents.

On Wednesday he repeated claims his opponents were “running around the electorate telling lies” about his community involvement.

“There are so many charities and not for profits that I as a local member have worked with,” he told Sky News.

“These people (such Ms Hayes) should have an opportunity to just report the facts. Which is, very clearly, that those relationships have been to the benefit of those local organisations.”