Darren Buller confirmed as Liberal Party’s Corio candidate in less than ideal fashion

The unveiling of the Liberal Party’s candidate to take on Labor heavyweight Richard Marles has been overshadowed by a fake Facebook page and event that turned out to be, well, a non-event.

We can confirm this is, in fact, Darren Buller, the Liberal Party’s candidate for Corio. Picture: Supplied.

The Liberal Party has been left scrambling after the identity of its candidate for the federal seat of Corio was leaked and a false fundraising event involving Sam Newman was concocted in an act of political skulduggery.

Darren Buller’s candidacy in the seat Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles holds by 12.8 per cent was confirmed by the party’s Victorian office after a Facebook page promoting him emerged late Thursday night.

A Facebook page promoting the Liberal Party's Corio candidate Darren Buller was deleted less than 24 hours after it was created.

A Liberal spokesman said the Facebook page, which was supposedly authorised by Victorian Liberal Party state director Stuart Smith, was not genuine.

It was deleted on Friday afternoon following inquiries from the Addy and a formal complaint from the party.

Adding to the embarrassment, a flyer promoting a March 14 meet and greet event at Kardinia Church in Bell Post Hill involving Mr Buller, Newman and former Geelong mayor and Leopold ward councillor Trent Sullivan was found to have been created mischievously.

Mr Sullivan, one of four vice presidents of the Victorian Liberal branch, said he knew nothing about the event.

It is unclear who created the flyer and whether they are a party member.

It has been confirmed that this is a non-event.

Liberal Party HQ hurriedly put together a statement on Friday that promoted Mr Buller, who is somewhat of a serial candidate.

He sought an upper house seat for Family First at the 2022 state election, having previously stood for the Liberals at both a state and federal level.

Mr Buller, group facilities manager at Hopper Motor Group, lives in Bannockburn with his wife, Elizabeth, and four children.

“I am passionate about our community which is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family,” he said.

“Corio simply cannot afford three more years of Labor, and the only way to get the country back on track is with a Coalition government that has a plan to lower the cost of living, deliver cheaper energy, more affordable homes and safer communities.”

Darren Buller in 2001 when he was the Liberal candidate in the federal seat of Calwell.

Sarah Henderson backed Mr Buller’s candidacy, saying he understood the cost-of-living pressures faced by many in the long-time safe Labor seat.

“In contrast to the Labor’s local MP who has been missing in action and delivered barely any investment for the people of Geelong, Darren will work hard for the people of Corio every single day,” the Geelong-based senator said.

Mr Marles, first elected in 2007, is facing an almost 6 per cent swing against him, according to YouGov research released this week.

Such a result would see his margin cut to 6.9 per cent.

Former Geelong councillor Sarah Hathway, a self-described “social activist”, has been confirmed as Socialist Alliance’s candidate in Corio, while the Greens’ have put forward Emilie Flynn.

Ms Flynn stood in the Kardinia ward against Stretch Kontelj at last year’s council election.

Originally published as Darren Buller confirmed as Liberal Party’s Corio candidate in less than ideal fashion