Rudd must act on dirty trick

Coalition spokesman, Christopher Pyne, has condemned Labor’s latest election campaign dirty trick in which an ALP staffer was caught out telling lies on social media. An advisor to South Australian Health Minister Jack Snelling has been revealed as posting blatant lies about Liberal MP Andrew Southcott on Twitter. “Kevin Rudd promised a new, positive approach to political campaigning.” Mr Pyne said. “But just two days into this campaign, that’s been exposed as yet another hollow, insincere con.” “Mr Rudd needs to explain if he thinks it’s appropriate for Labor campaign operatives to tweet lies about Liberal candidates.” “If not, what action will he take to discipline the staffer concerned?” The advisor, Tim Picton, posted that Mr Southcott was in Fiji rather than in Adelaide campaigning: a total and absolute fabrication. South Australia’s Premier Jay Weatherill has apologised over the lie, but Mr Pyne said the Prime Minister should also condemn the disgraceful attack. “This is yet another case of watching what Mr Rudd does, rather than what he says.” Mr Pyne continued. “He’s all talk about a new approach to politics.” “He needs to act on this disgrace now.” August 6, 2013