Liberals axe Corio candidate over ‘failure to comply with rules’
THE Liberal Party has selected real estate agent Alastair Thomson as its new candidate to contest Corio at next month’s federal election.
The party yesterday moved to dump former candidate Murray Angus after senior Liberals became aware of an interview he gave to the Addy in which the 71-year-old declared his support of unions, his Labor opponent, Richard Marles, and likened his campaign to a can of WD40.
Senior Victorian Liberal source says the Victorian division needs to introduce a better vetting process of candidates and are questioning why the gaffe-prone Mr Angus was officially endorsed.
While sources say he breached a number of the party’s policies, his interviews in the Addy appear to have been the catalyst for the swift change.
A party spokesman said Mr Angus was disendorsed for a number of reasons, including not following party rules and procedures.
“The Liberal Party has cancelled Murray Angus’s endorsement as its candidate for Corio, after he failed to comply with the rules and procedures required by all endorsed Liberal candidates,” he said.
“The Liberal Party has selected Alastair Thomson as its candidate for the seat of Corio.
“Married with two kids, Mr Thomson is a long-time local resident and small business owner.
“He will work hard to highlight the importance of the Liberal plan for lower, simpler and fairer taxes to help the local community get ahead.”
Mr Thomson, a real estate agent with LJ Hooker in Drysdale, took on Labor’s Ian Trezise in the 2010 state election in Geelong.