‘Confected outrage’: Josh Frydenberg hits back over flyer

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has lashed out at “confected outrage” after an investigation was launched into controversial campaign flyers.

Josh Frydenberg has lashed “fake independents” for “spreading lies” in their contest against him amid a furore over campaign material.

The Treasurer shrugged off concerns about promotional material featuring Guide Dogs Victoria chief executive Karen Hayes publicly endorsing his campaign.

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 deregistration.

In a pamphlet distributed to Kooyong residents, a puppy- holding Ms Hayes outlined why she was supporting Mr Frydenberg in his re-election campaign.

“Time and time again, Josh has shown his genuine care for Guide Dogs Victoria and the people with low vision and blindness we serve,” Ms Hayes is quoted as saying.

The CEO of Guide Dogs Victoria was featured on a political pamphlet for Josh Frydenberg.

Guide Dogs Victoria said it was aware of the promotional material but stressed the charity’s board had no prior ­knowledge before its distribution.

“The board has launched an internal investigation and requested that this material be immediately removed from circulation,” a spokesman for the organisation said.

Mr Frydenberg hit out at the “confected outrage” over the promotional material.

“You see, my political opponents are running around spreading lies about community involvement,” he said.

“And the reality is, I’ve been delivering for my community in a way they never have, and never could. It’s an inconvenient truth for the fake independents that I’m receiving public recognition from community organisations that I’ve helped substantially over more than a decade. It’s confected outrage.”

Cate Sayers, with her daughter Alexandra, is in the spotlight after her endorsement. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Cate Sayers, founder of the Inclusion Foundation which helps people with Down syndrome become active members of society, featured in another pamphlet endorsing Mr Frydenberg.In it, Ms Sayers said Mr Frydenberg “has always supported the Inclusion Foundation, most recently with a significant investment into Impact21, a tertiary education into employment program enabling kids with Down syndrome to achieve real jobs with real wages”.

Josh Frydenberg did not directly answer questions about a pamphlet sent to Kooyong residents Picture: Jason Edwards

In the flyer Ms Sayers is credited as “Cate, local mum and founder, Inclusion Foundation”. She credits Mr Frydenberg as being the “epitome of community and has a massive track record of supporting our local schools, our local small businesses, our local charities, and making things happen for our community.“Josh walks the talk, but more importantly he has a huge heart, listens and he cares,” the flyer says.

Originally published as ‘Confected outrage’: Josh Frydenberg hits back over flyer