Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
INDIGO mayor Bernard Gaffney has confirmed the council invited former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella to attend a federal funding announcement earlier this week.
Eyebrows were raised when Mrs Mirabella, who has kept a low profile since losing the seat of Indi in last year’s federal election, appeared at an announcement at Barnawartha for $1.84 million in roads funding for Indigo Shire on Monday.
It came just two days after allegations that young supporters of independent MP Cathy McGowan had engaged in electoral fraud; speculation quickly sparked in the media and among Border Mail readers over what inspired the timing of Mrs Mirabella’s appearance.
It even arose in Question Time on Thursday during a question from Ms McGowan, when Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs — after being heckled by Labor — made mention that Mrs Mirabella was “invited by the council”.
Cr Gaffney confirmed yesterday this was the case, bemused there had been any consideration about it.
“I was told on Sunday there was an announcement pending and a couple of my colleagues on council thought it would be a good idea to invite Sophie Mirabella because she had been responsible for us obtaining the funding,” he said.
Cr Gaffney said there was “nothing underhanded” in inviting her: “It was because she was responsible for getting the $1.84 million, which is a considerable amount of money for a small shire.”
