FED: Look in own backyard for scandals, Nelson tells govt

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2008
FED: Look in own backyard for scandals, Nelson tells govt

SYDNEY, April 30 AAP - Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says Labor should focus on
its own backyard before chastising the Liberals over the federal election leaflet scandal.

Five people linked to the Liberal Party have been charged with distributing unauthorised
electoral material after leaflets were distributed in the western Sydney electorate of
Lindsay just before last November's poll.

The leaflets, purported to be from a radical Islamic group aligned with the ALP, stated
Labor supported terrorism and forgiveness for the Bali bombers.

Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese today called on Dr Nelson to find out if any
senior Liberal Party members were involved.

The opposition leader today condemned the actions, but would not comment further on
the legal proceedings.

"The charges against these people and the conduct of which they are accused is absolutely
deplorable (and) it's being dealt with through the courts," Dr Nelson told reporters in
Sydney.

He suggested Mr Albanese should worry more about a recent break-in at his electorate
office and the ICAC inquiry into a sex and bribes scandal at Labor-dominated Wollongong
council.

"I think Mr Albanese should look in his own backyard," Dr Nelson said.

"And if he's not happy to look in his own backyard, he needs to go down to Wollongong."

AAP vpm/evt/ldj/bwl

KEYWORD: LEAFLETS NELSON

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