Labor “push-polling” lies

NATIONALS candidate for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis said Labor candidate Peter Ellem's team is "push-polling" the electorate with lies about a National's scheme to build a coal seam gas mine in the area.

Mr Guplaptis said a phone message from a Clarence electorate resident revealed members of Young Labor from Sydney have been cold-calling voters in their homes, claiming that Peter Ellem is "concerned about the effect the Nationals scheme to build coal seam mine gas will have on our area."

Mr Gulaptis asserts that Labor have stepped over the line, saying that targeting people in their homes and feeding them lies is totally unethical.

"Leaving aside for the moment the questionable legality of push-polling under the Electoral Act, what they are telling people is a lie. There is not, nor has there ever been such a scheme" Mr Gulaptis said.

"The Liberals & Nationals have banned the approvals coal seam gas projects until such time as the environmental effects of the practice are fully understood. That is fact, and that has always been our policy" Mr Gulaptis said.

Furthermore, Mr Gulaptis says that Labor do not have a shred of credibility on the matter due to their track record of granting unrestricted exploration and mining licenses.

"Every single coal seam gas project in NSW was licenced and granted by the previous Labor government, without restrictions and without accountability" Mr Gulaptis said.

"The Nationals are the ones who are cleaning up the mess."

Mr Gulaptis also says that because leader of NSW Labor John Robertson personally granted 6 licences and renewed 10 more when in Government, neither he nor Ellem can take the moral high ground on the issue.

"Coal seam gas has been introduced into this area by Labor, who Mr Ellem is standing for. I will not allow the lies and hypocrisy to go unanswered."

"I realise that Peter Ellem is resorting to these lies because he knows he cannot deliver anything for this electorate in opposition, but I need to get on with the job of achieving positive outcomes for the people of Clarence."

"I am committed to fixing roads, delivering more police, delivering health and education services and creating jobs."

"I call on Peter Ellem to stop the dirty tactics, and debate the real issues."