THE withdrawal of the Labor Party from Farrer's election shows it is not taking the seat "seriously", according to Liberal Party incumbent Sussan Ley.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Health Minister did not want to comment on the particulars of Labor candidate Christian Kunde's exit.
"But I will say that Bill Shorten and Labor have broken their promise to the people of Farrer that they were taking the seat seriously and hunting for the best ALP candidate," Ms Ley said.
Albury Labor figure Darren Cameron rejected Ms Ley's assessment.
"I think Christian has been a quality candidate," he said.
Mr Kunde said he was not asked in pre-selection about links to Islamic extremism.
Asked if he would have stood if he knew he was going to be haunted by his relationship with a Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman, Mr Kunde said "if I did a) I would have disclosed it to the party and b) I would not have run".
Mr Kunde will remain on the ballot paper – his preferences will be counted but not his primary vote.