INDEPENDENT candidate for New England Jamie McIntyre is calling for an independent investigation into political bias in relation to his failed bid to have his party registered in time for the federal election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr McIntyre has also threatened legal action against the Australian Electoral Commission and even Kevin Rudd for the delay he claims was orchestrated to prevent his party from taking its place on the ballot paper.
“If we aren’t on the ballot paper, then supporters and voters Australia-wide are being prevented from voting for their preferred party, which is not democracy,” Mr McIntyre said.
“There is no legitimate reason for us to not be on the ballot papers for a September 7 election as we submitted our party registration on May 2 and became a listed party as of July 15 and therefore should be allowed on the ballot papers.”
He said they were also considering organising a class action for voters who refused to vote in protest, and would be fined as a result.
On Monday, Mr McIntyre posted on his website a letter of complaint he urged supporters to email to the AEC and Governor-General Quentin Bryce, requesting a change to the election date in order to give the party time to be officially registered.
“As a voter I demand that my voting rights are upheld and that I am allowed to vote for a legitimate third party in the form of 21st Century Australia Party,” the letter reads.
On Monday, Mr McIntyre said a large number of emails had been sent to Ms Bryce to the extent her “inbox was so heavily flooded with complaints that her emails simply started to bounce back”.
Mr McIntyre told The Leader yesterday the fact he would be unable to run under his party’s banner would hurt his chances of being elected, but maintains he is still a chance of defeating favourite Barnaby Joyce and “pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Australian political history.”
Mr McIntyre is back in the electorate today to start his “Q&A” tour around the region.
The tour begins in Tenterfield on Wednesday at 6.30pm at the Tenterfield RSL.
He will be at the Glen Innes and District Services Club on Thursday for a 6.30pm start, before visiting Quirindi and Gunnedah on Friday for 1.30pm and 6.30pm events respectively.
The Walcha RSL Club will be the final stop on Saturday at 1.30pm.
Following the tour, Mr McIntyre will spend another five days travelling the electorate.
He said hoped to continue the work Labor had done in the electorate, already, including the NBN, and funding for health and education.