LNP’s Vivian Lobo’s Lilley pad saga sparks AFP investigation

An embattled LNP hopeful vying for an ultra-marginal Queensland seat has not been disendorsed by the party despite allegations of enrolment fraud being referred to the Australian Federal Police.

AN embattled LNP hopeful vying for an ultra-marginal Queensland seat will “fully co-operate” after being referred to the Australian Federal Police over concerns he lied about where he lives.

But Vivian Lobo, the LNP’s last-minute candidate for the Brisbane seat of Lilley, has not been disendorsed by the party despite allegations of enrolment fraud.

Mr Lobo told the Australian Electoral Commission that he lived at an Everton Park address within the electorate, a home where his wife is also enrolled.

But it was later revealed the home was dilapidated, unfurnished, and hadn’t been lived in for about a year — with Mr Lobo instead found residing in the Windsor home he owns with his wife.

LNP candidate for the seat of Lilley, Vivian Lobo, pictured outside his home in Windsor. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

While it is not uncommon for MPs and candidates to live outside the electorate, it is a crime punishable by up to 12 months in prison or a $12,600 fine to make false declarations to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

The AEC on Sunday confirmed it had referred Mr Lobo’s matter to the AFP for investigation.

“Following Mr Lobo’s candidate nomination for the 2022 federal election we have reviewed the declarations made on Mr Lobo’s enrolment and nomination forms,” the AEC stated.

“There is concern as to whether the information provided by him regarding his residential address on these forms is false.”

Part of the dilapidated house in Everton Park that Vivian Lobo registered with the AEC. Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Detailed questions to the LNP and Mr Lobo, including if he would be disendorsed and if the party had cross checked information he provided, yielded a near identical statement sent out on Friday.

This time it included a line stating Mr Lobo would “fully co-operate with any enquiries”.

Mr Lobo maintained he enrolled in the electorate of Lilley as he had “signed a lease in Everton Park with the intention to move in straight away”.

But his “campaign commitments” and “difficulty with getting tradespeople to the home” delayed the move.

The Everton Park home. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Lobo and the LNP have repeatedly ignored questions about why it was his responsibility as the renter to make the property liveable while also failing to clarify when he signed the lease.

A video posted to social media by one of Mr Lobo’s main backers — Dr Bernard Malik — on Saturday night showed him holding a “community barbecue” at his Everton Park “residence”.

Mr Lobo’s campaign has enjoyed the support of LNP heavyweights, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s close confidant Minister Alex Hawke who flew to Brisbane to launch his run for Lilley.

Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt on Sunday called on the Prime Minister to publicly stand down Mr Lobo and suspend the LNP’s campaign in Lilley, which is held by Labor with a margin of just 0.6 per cent.

It is understood the saga in Lilley has pushed LNP volunteers off the campaign, with insiders saying some were considering voting for a minor party like One Nation rather than support Mr Lobo.

Originally published as LNP’s Vivian Lobo’s Lilley pad saga sparks AFP investigation