Labor in Lyons attack over Liberal’s child
A KEY player in Darryn Lyons’ state election campaign is the daughter of a former president of the Geelong 500 Club.
In what is likely to raise further questions about Mr Lyons’ links to the Liberal Party, Amy van Stekelenburg is controlling marketing for the former mayor, while also handing out how-to-vote cards at polling booths.
Ms van Stekelenburg is the daughter of John Stekelenburg, who served as president of the Geelong 500 Club several years ago.
The club is a fundraising arm for the Liberal Party.
Mr Stekelenburg said while he was still a member of the club, he held no official roles, and stopped serving as president about eight years ago.
Ms van Stekelenburg yesterday distanced herself from her father’s involvement with the club.
“I am just a child. People don’t always vote the way of their parents,” Ms van Stekelenburg said.
“I am a paid employee (for Mr Lyons) … It’s a job and it’s a job I’m interested in.”
Mr Stekelenburg — a former Barwon Health chairman — made similar comments when approached by the Addy.
“Everyone has an entitlement to make a living. Amy does it for a job,” he said.
“It’s no different to thousands of union hacks doing leg work for the Labor Party.”
Ms van Stekelenburg said she became involved in Mr Lyons’ campaign after being approached by the former paparazzi boss.
But Deputy Premier James Merlino said the connection was further evidence of ties between Mr Lyons and the Liberal Party.
“This just proves what we have been saying. Darryn Lyons is a fake independent with fake abs — but he is a real Liberal,” Mr Merlino said.
Last month, the Addy revealed Mike Deam — a former treasurer at the 500 Club — was also a central figure in Mr Lyons’ campaign.
Meanwhile, former Liberal state and federal election candidates Paula and Stretch Kontelj have used social media to openly encourage locals to vote for Mr Lyons.
The 53-year-old, a former member of the Liberal Party, has repeatedly said he chose to run as an independent in Geelong after becoming disillusioned with the major parties.
It comes as Labor continues to fund an attack advertisement on Mr Lyons, accusing him of being a “fake independent” and a “real Liberal”.
Mr Lyons has labelled the commercial “sick” and “unAustralian”.