Elliot accuses Fraser of a Whopper

WITH just eight days to go until the federal election, the eligibility of the Nationals candidate for Richmond has been brought into question by the sitting member Justine Elliot.

The Labor MP has said she believes Matthew Fraser, running for the seat for the third time, is in breach of the Australian constitution by incorrectly filling out his nomination form.

A copy of Mr Fraser’s qualification check-list, filled out prior to his nomination, has been obtained by the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Mr Fraser (pictured) ticked ‘no’ to question 15 on the form, which relates to Section 44 of the constitution.

The question asks whether or not the candidate has a direct or indirect financial interest in any contract or agreement with the Commonwealth public service.

Mrs Elliot said she believed the Nationals candidate does have a financial interest through his wife’s ownership of a franchised Hungry Jack’s in Tweed Heads South.

Through that business, youth workers are employed through the Federal Government’s Youth Job Path Program, which has been acknowledged by Mr Fraser.

Mrs Elliot declared the matter needed to by looked into by the Nationals party.

“If these allegations are correct, this would appear to be a serious breach of Australia’s Constitution and it calls into question Matthew Fraser’s eligibility as a candidate for Richmond in this election,” Mrs Elliot said.

When approached by the Tweed Daily News, Mr Fraser said he had filled in the checklist the best of his knowledge.

“I am not the franchisee nor am I the director of the company which owns the business,” Mr Fraser said.