INDEPENDENT candidate for Mallee Claudia Haenel has taken aim at Sophie Baldwin, questioning the fellow independent candidate’s “integrity” and called on her to disclose “clearly and openly” any vested interests backing her campaign.
Ms Haenel also said that Ms Baldwin, who hosted a voter forum in Mildura on Thursday night, had not “accurately” represented the event as a campaign event rather than a forum for all independents.
The Are Independents Good? forum took place at The Setts and featured Ms Baldwin, along with former independent member for Indi Cathy McGowan and 2022 Independent Senate candidate Susan Benadyka.
Ms Haenel said she, as a fellow independent candidate, received no invitation to attend the forum.
“If someone was just tuning in … they wouldn’t realise that there are actually two independent candidates,” Ms Haenel said.
“That’s sad for the electorate because they could be misguided by that representation.”
Ms Haenel said Ms Baldwin should also state her relationship to Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI).
She said if Ms Baldwin was being supported by “a vested interest group, then just state that – be clear and be open and transparent with the electorate”.
“A true independent – it is imperative that they have integrity, and that they are willing to put all of Australia and the electorate first, not just their own interests,” Ms Haenel said.
Ms Baldwin hit back at Ms Haenel’s claims on Friday, saying the forum had been organised by her campaign team and had more than one title.
“We were calling it independents’ day,” Ms Baldwin said. “But there were a couple of names that got bandied around.
“I don’t think it was misleading. Suzanne Benedyka is an independent as well. She’s standing for the Senate.”
Ms Baldwin said she had complied with all the requirements of the Australian Electoral Commission and had taken leave from Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI), adding that SRI’s concerns would not disproportionately affect her advocacy for the electorate.
“The reason why I put my hand up is because I could see that rural communities were not being represented or listened to by government,” she said.
“I’m here to represent Mallee … across community-based infrastructure, housing, telecommunications and nation-building infrastructure.”
