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AN inquiry into alleged voter fraud in Indi has hit close to home for federal member Cathy McGowan, with her nephew Ben’s electoral enrolment likely to be one of those examined by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Fierce debate has broken out between Ms McGowan’s supporters and those of the former Liberal member, Sophie Mirabella, in response to news at the weekend the AEC is investigating whether the Voice for Indi group had encouraged young voters living elsewhere to enrol in Indi.
If the charge is proven by the AEC’s inquiries, it could be determined as an offence under Commonwealth law.
Voters are required to be enrolled at their principal place of residence but there is provision for those to remain on the electoral roll at their home address if they are studying away from home.
Mr McGowan has been on a university scholarship in Darwin since July last year but has previously lived and worked in Melbourne and western Victoria while retaining his enrolment address in Indi.
The timing of Mrs Mirabella’s re-emergence into the political spotlight yesterday at Barnawartha has created a further stir, but essentially it is up to the AEC to complete its inquiries and make a ruling on the accusations.