Andrews Holds Menzies Despite Swing

Sadly, Kevin Andrews holds the seat of Menzies despite a swing against him, Nov. 24, 2007.

Outgoing immigration minister Kevin Andrews has retained his eastern Melbourne seat of Menzies for the Liberal Party despite a swing of more than 5.5 per cent against him.

Mr Andrews claimed 50.5 per cent of primary vote which increased to 55 per cent on two-party preferred basis, following the distribution of preferences.

The ALP's candidate Andrew Campbell won 36.25 per cent of primary vote, while controversial independent, euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke, received just under four per cent.

Earlier, Dr Nitschke accused Mr Andrews of personally tearing down his campaign material near a polling booth.

A spokeswoman for Mr Andrews said the claims were "absolute rubbish".

The Age

DWDV Comment

Philip Nitschke was the subject of a smear campaign run by the church-backed Right To Life group, who letterboxed some 40,000 homes with a phamphlet misrepresenting Nitschke.

Minister tore down my posters: Nitschke, Nov. 24, 2007. 
 

Euthanasia campaigner and independent candidate Philip Nitschke has accused Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews of personally tearing down his campaign material near a polling booth.

Dr Nitschke, who is standing against Mr Andrews in the Melbourne seat of Menzies, told AAP he planned to lodge a complaint with the Australian Electoral Commission, after a woman claimed she saw the minister ripping down posters.

A spokeswoman for Mr Andrews, Kate Walshe, said: "It's not true, it's absolute rubbish".

She said no one else from the minister's office had taken down Dr Nitschke's posters either.

Dr Nitschke said he confronted Mr Andrews about the claim today and that the minister essentially told him to "grow up".

"I was pretty unhappy with his response when I challenged him," Dr Nitschke said.

He said Mr Andrews' actions showed "a degree of desperation".

"It wasn't just one of his workers, it was the minister himself," he said.

He said he had noticed some of his bunting shoved in a pile beneath a tree before the woman told him what she saw.

"She's a pretty credible person, she's got no interest in making it up," he said.

Dr Nitschke said election day had been a long one for him and his supporters, most of whom are aged in their 70s.

"It's a hard day working when you're that old, trying to hand out cards to people who aren't always friendly," he said.

Sydney Morning Herald