Mayo by-election: Alexander Downer hits out at daughter’s critics

Alexander Downer has attacked claims his daughter Georgina has a sense of entitlement, after a disappointing by-election result.

Liberal candidate Georgina Downer with father Alexander Downer, mother Nicky Downer and sister Henrietta.

Alexander Downer has hit out at suggestions his daughter Georgina has a sense of entitlement, telling her critics to “get over it”.

Ms Downer, who lost the contest for the South Australian seat of Mayo in yesterday’s Super Saturday by-elections, was branded “out of towner Downer” and “entitled” by some critics during the campaign after only recently returning to the electorate which her father held during the Howard government.

“I think it’s best for everybody to try to remember to judge people by the content of their character, not on any other basis,” Mr Downer told Sky News.

“I tend not to go around condemning people because of their parents. Georgina is her own person and should be judged on her merits or lack of merits as people perceive it. I know people like to say the Downer family has this sense of entitlement. We don’t have any sense of entitlement, we have a sense of hard work and we know that to be in successful in life requires a huge amount of work.”

Mr Downer made comparisons to other people for whom the family business is politics, including Hannah Beazley - daughter of former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley — who is running for the Western Australia seat of Swan at the next federal election.

“I don’t see these people being accused of entitlement and dynasty and all this sort of rubbish, I mean get over it,” Mr Downer said.

“I think it’s a moral thing to judge people on the content of their character not on the basis of their parents or their grandparents, just as I think it’s completely wrong to be judging people on the basis of their gender or race.”

Mr Downer reflected on his daughter’s performance in the by-election, saying she did “almost exactly” as he expected.

“In every single case where there’s been a section 44 by-election, I think I’ve got this right, in every single case the incumbent has won,” he said.

“What she’s done is get herself known, get her credentials out there and she’s got nine months or however long until the federal election when of course the contest will be completely redefined.”

He said the fact that voters wanted a Howard government was crucial to his continual election in the seat of Mayo from 1984-2008.

“I’m absolutely sure I didn’t get elected because I’m a wonderful and kindly person, I’m think I got elected because people wanted the Howard government,” he said.

“I think in Georgina’s case, if people in Mayo do want a Turnbull government, now that they know her better they’ll be enthusiastic about voting for her.”

Sharkie slams ‘offensive’ Downer

Returning member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has hit out at comments made about her supporters by the father of her opponent, Liberal candidate Georgina Downer, AAP reports.

In a Facebook post made on Friday night, Ms Downer’s father and former member for Mayo Alexander Downer said Ms Sharkie’s supporters had brought “horrible hate to our district” before adding they “must all be new arrivals”.

“I think the comment that we must be newcomers to the hills was pretty offensive for a lot of people,” Ms Sharkie said on Sunday.

Ms Downer was branded “out of towner Downer” and “entitled” by some critics during the campaign after only recently returning to contest the seat of Mayo, where she grew up.

Senior Liberal party figures have denied she was the wrong candidate to pre-select, insisting Ms Downer had close ties to the seat and her children were now attending a local school.

But Mr Downer, Australia’s former foreign minister, was widely accused of overstepping the mark when his wife Nicky’s appeal to a local Facebook group to vote for her daughter triggered numerous negative responses.

“We are Adelaide Hills people and been in politics here for decades and through multiple elections never come across such abuse,” Mr Downer posted in response to the group.

“Sharkie supporters have brought such horrible hate to our district. You must all be new arrivals.”

.@MakeMayoMatter: For two years I have worked really well with government. I am keen to go back in, despite the nasty campaign against me. I am eager to work positively with government.

MORE: https://t.co/jIss97S3M7 #weekendlive pic.twitter.com/vdQM0VNcyP

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) July 29, 2018

Mr Downer reiterated the point at a function for his daughter after she conceded defeat last night.

“I would say our family have been nation builders. We’ve helped make this nation great. And you can abuse us and you can criticise us and we’ll take it. We’ll take it, we don’t mind, because nation building is in our blood.”

Despite her defeat, Ms Downer has vowed to stay on in Mayo and recontest the seat at the next election.

“I think she is an outstanding candidate. And I’m so pleased that she’s announced that her campaign for the next general election starts today,” Social Services Minister Dan Tehan said today.

“Full support for her because she would make a significant contribution to the Australian parliament.”

Addressing the criticism this morning, Ms Downer said she fully accepted the choice Mayo’s voters had made.

“No one is entitled to a seat,” she said.

“I’m supportive of a strong democratic process.

“I’m proud of my family’s commitment to service in South Australia, which is something we have done for 100 years.”

Additional reporting: AAP