Whelan tackles AFP probe claim

FORMER federal Liberal candidate Jessica Whelan has disputed reports she did not refer her claims her Facebook posts had been “doctored” to federal police.

The Brighton councillor and Lyons candidate was disendorsed by the Liberals during the May federal election after the Mercury revealed she had posted anti-Islamic comments on social media.

In June, the Australian Federal Police said they had dropped an investigation into Ms Whelan’s complaint that her Facebook posts had been doctored.

However, a report by the Guardian yesterday said the news organisation had obtained freedom of information documents showing the AFP had been unable to pursue its investigation because Ms Whelan had not made a referral to the AFP.

Ms Whelan told the Mercury she had referred the matter to the AFP twice. She said she visited AFP offices in Hobart at 12.30pm on May 6 and made an initial report. “My partner and two AFP officers were present.

“I was advised I would need to follow this up with either an online or hard copy report.

“I finalised my online report at 5.41pm on May 16 and posted additional information to the AFP Office in Hobart.”

Ms Whelan also provided the Mercury with a letter from the AFP which refers to her report of May 16.

The letter dated August 5 says her matter had been reviewed and “based on information supplied the AFP will not be taking any further action in regards to your correspondence”.

The letter suggests Ms Whelan report the matter to the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

A spokeswoman for the AFP said it would not be commenting any further.

Last month Ms Whelan made an apology to state Opposition Leader Rebecca White for claiming Ms White was the source of a “dirt file” on her.