MP slams ‘gutless’ attacks
FEDERAL MP George Christensen has slammed “gutless” and “vengeful” political enemies for a “vile and hateful smear campaign” aimed at destroying him and the Morrison government.
The Nationals MP has vehemently denied any suggestion his trips to Southeast Asia were not for proper purposes and provided legal advice stating he is not, and never was under formal investigation for criminal activity. News Corp has confirmed this with law enforcement agencies.
Mr Christensen – who could have stayed silent but decided to publicly out himself as the federal MP at the centre of rumours has provided a detailed account of his philanthropy and holidays in Southeast Asia, where his fiancee April Asuncion lives.
“My lawyer has received a letter from the Australian Federal Police that dismisses notions that I have committed a criminal offence,” Mr Christensen said.
“This would be the third time I’ve been vexatiously referred to the AFP for alleged offences by my political opponents, the first being over a donation to a turtle rescue group that was styled as a bribe, the second being for a joke on social media that was styled as a threat but this is by far the worst.
“If I had known that such ‘House of Cards’ scenarios would be rolled out I would never have gotten into politics in the first place.”
Mr Christensen said he travels to the Philippines regularly at his own cost to see friends and April. He said during one visit he met with the husband of the ex-Philippines Ambassador to Australia.
Earlier this year, the Australian Federal Police was tasked to inquire into Mr Christensen’s frequent trips to Southeast Asia. It was quickly determined there was nothing to investigate.
His Queensland seat of Dawson is a seat Labor hopes it can win at the next election. Mr Christensen said he had been told a senior Labor MP has been shopping the story as has another former senior MP and former staffers.
“These people are gutless, the lowest of the low, to stoop to such actions,” he said. “I know they also want to bring down the government before we get to the Budget and I will not be letting that happen.”