The Indi MP took aim at WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith for questioning the alleged voter fraud to a Senate committee in May this year, a month after charges were withdrawn against two young women.

The Magistrates’ Court had found her niece Maggie McGowan and friend Sophie Fuchsen were within their rights to vote in Indi while studying away in Melbourne.

“The 2013 election in Indi was clean, it was honest,” Ms McGowan said.

“There was no false or misleading information, there was no orchestration, there was no incitement, there was no deliberate attempt to fraud, there was no loophole, there was no conspiracy.

“A significant number of young people who had the courage to engage in democracy were punished; their reputations were tainted; their parents, friends and housemates were interrogated about their children’s living arrangements.”

Speaking to raise an official grievance with the Parliament on Monday, Ms McGowan accused Senator Smith of perpetuating the fear and anxiety caused by the Australian Federal Police investigation.

“Why is this topic of interest to the Western Australian senator?” she said.

“It must stop for the sake of young people for who it’s done so much damage.”

The MP asked for public apology to those investigated and called for the appointment of a Minister for Young People to address barriers preventing youths from civic participation.

She said policies affecting young people should not have an adverse impact.

“The AEC needs to be supported to engage young people,” Ms McGowan said.

“It has caused reputational damage to the Liberal Party – in losing the election, they proved to be really bad sports.”