SHEENA Hewlett, the campaign manager for Redlands independent candidate Peter Dowling, says she has complained to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about social media tactics by federal LNP MP Andrew Laming in which he calls candidates grubs.
Mr Laming has been waging war on Labor’s Redlands candidate Kim Richards and Capalaba candidate Don Brown as he tries to support LNP candidates Matt McEachan and Cameron Leafe.
Ms Hewlett, sister of Mr Dowling, said Mr Laming’s attacks turned nasty when he started referring to candidates as grubs.
“His targeted attacks on social media have hit an all time low,” she said. “I have constantly complained to the prime minister’s office, with no response – just disgraceful.”
Mr Laming said the term grub was used because it was kinder than plonker, a nickname given to Mr Dowling after a sexting incident.
“...Peter Dowling fessed up to Parliament for conduct and democratically got the boot from the LNP,” he said.
“...ALP candidate Kim Richard’s … political affair with Mr Dowling is Redland’s best kept secret. He takes her votes, she accepts his via One Nation.”
Mr Laming said locals hated having the wool pulled over their eyes.
“The Hewletts are welcome to complain to the prime minister, the High Court and the United Nations,” he said.
A spokesman for Mr Turnbull said his office had no record of Ms Hewlett complaining about Mr Laming’s behaviour.
Ms Hewlett said her reference number was C15/17562.
Mr Laming also referred to a Facebook post by John Talty, husband of LNP Springwood candidate Julie Talty, saying the electorate’s Labor candidate Mick de Brenni called him a grub.
Mr de Brenni said the post was correct. He called Mr Talty a grub after the latter accosted him and was over-bearing to workers at a pre-poll booth.
Mr de Brenni said Mr Talty’s behaviour was petty and the real issue was that the LNP was preparing to do a deal with One Nation to get into government.
“Voters should be terrified about the future of Queensland if this occurs,” he said.
Cr Talty has said she has lost many election signs in the Springwood campaign.
