A GARDEN party in support of Sussan Ley will be held across the road and at the same time as a protest against political perks at the Health Minister’s Albury office.
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Anglican priest Father Peter MacLeod-Miller says he’s been upset at attacks on Ms Ley, who has stood aside while being investigated over her use of entitlements for trips to Queensland.
“I’m sick of hearing things about the pub test,” Father MacLeod-Miller said.
“We’re not governed by people in pubs, we’re governed by people in parliament and parliamentarians are governed by rules made in parliament.”
Father MacLeod-Miller, who has handed out how-to-vote cards for Ms Ley, will hold his party from 5.30pm on Wednesday in his church front yard opposite the member for Farrer’s Kiewa Street premises.
Albury deputy mayor Amanda Cohn will host a demonstration against politicians’ entitlements at that office at the same time.
“Ours is not a protest, it’s a show of support,” Father MacLeod-Miller said.
“We’re not going to be yelling across barricades, there won’t be placards.”
However, the minister said the church’s bell tower would be in action.
“It’s appropriate if we give the bell ringers the opportunity to ring out their support,” Father MacLeod-Miller said.
Cr Cohn was unfazed by the archdeacon’s move.
“He’s welcome to do that, it’s his democratic right to stage whatever event he likes,” Cr Cohn said.
She is keen to attract a sizeable crowd to her protest.
“I’d be hopeful for over 100 people,” Cr Cohn said.
“It takes a lot to get people up and out of their house to express their views, but there’s certainly been a lot of outrage and I hope people are willing to do something and turn up.”
Father MacLeod-Miller wants his party to be more popular than the protest.
“I would just hope there would be more than 100 people that would come out for a cup of tea and glass of champagne and to support a local,” he said.
Cr Cohn is not planning to offer refreshments.
“I’m hoping people will join me because they believe it’s the right thing to do,” she said.
“It’s quite a serious issue and I wouldn’t want to distract from that.”
Ms Ley declined to comment on either event and it is unclear whether she will be in her office at the time of the functions.
Father MacLeod-Miller said Ms Ley “was being generous to her party and her electorate” by repaying expenses and he did not believe she had erred in her claims.
“As far as I’m concerned there’s a bit of blood in the water and all sorts of ratbags are suggesting we stir it up – I think people should be ashamed,” he said.
