Wentworth by-election: Kerryn Phelps slams HIV email

An email claiming Kerryn Phelps had been diagnosed with HIV and withdrawn from the Wentworth by-election has been sent to voters in the electorate.

Independent Prof Kerryn Phelps. Picture: James Croucher

An email claiming Independent Kerryn Phelps had been diagnosed with HIV and had withdrawn from the Wentworth byelection has been sent to voters in the electorate, with the candidate describing the online campaign as “shocking” dirty tricks.

The emergence of the HIV claim was anonymously sent from a fake address on Sunday, and also asked recipients to “divert” their vote to Liberal Party candidate Dave Sharma.

The email also asks for help in removing Dr Phelps’ campaign posters around the electorate.

“I think it’s shocking. When I went into this campaign, people warned me that there would be dirty tricks, but this is next level,” Dr Phelps said.

A spokesman for the Liberal Party told The Australian that their “Wentworth campaign had absolutely no involvement with the sending of this email.

“We condemn vile personal smears of this nature.”

The email said:

“Can you divert your vote to Dave Sharma in instead? It is very urgent, please let your friends know, too,” the email said.

“Use all your phone, messenger and social media and show support for Dave Sharma on your Facebook too.

“The voting card has been printed already, you will still see her name, but she has already quit.

“Please DO NOT vote for her, just choose Sharma as your top choice only. Kerryn was diagnosed with HIV yesterday so no chance she will be running for the election.

“Choose Dave Sharma. Otherwise if you choose local white, they will be molesting your children someday.”

It is understood that Dr Phelps has asked for the origins of the email to be investigated.