FORMER Nationals MP Ken Jasper has potentially put himself again in the cross-hairs of the Coalition – including his own party – for joining member for Indi Cathy McGowan on the campaign trail at the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms McGowan attended the Ovens and Murray Football-Netball League finals match at Wangaratta on Sunday with Mr Jasper admitting he played a part in arranging the visit.
A similar “meet and greet” at the footy conducted by Mr Jasper in the lead-up to the 2013 election when Ms McGowan toppled Liberal Sophie Mirabella was the first sign of the former state MP throwing his support behind the independent.
Mr Jasper has subsequently been criticised for disloyalty to the Coalition in backing Ms McGowan.
His actions will be even more closely scrutinised leading up to the next election with his own party, of which he remains a member, fielding a candidate in Indi.
Mr Jasper is an Ovens and Murray league board member and played down the significance of Ms McGowan's latest trip to the footy.
“I let her know there was a game on at Wangaratta on Sunday,” Mr Jasper said.
“As far as I am concerned, I am not saying anything at this stage.
“There is still 12 months until an election and people can interpret things how they like.
“But she contacted me, she knows me and she knows I am on the board.
"She did her own thing to a large extent, but I was there a little bit of the time for her.”
Mr Jasper said she was well within her rights to attend the match in her capacity as a politician.
“Let's not forget she is currently the member for Indi,” he said.
“From a board point of view it was nice to see her there showing an interest.
“I wasn't hand in hand with her.”
Mrs Mirabella's defeat two years ago by less than 500 votes has opened the door for the Nationals to run a candidate in Indi for the first time since 2001.
“There is a long time until the next election and I am not getting involved,” Mr Jasper said.
“My conscience is absolutely clear and I am an individual.
“At this stage I am not directly involved with anything at all.
“But it will be interesting.”
Ms McGowan attended the half-time afternoon tea attended by league and club officials and did a radio interview with Wangaratta community station OAKFM at three quarter-time of the match between Yarrawonga and North Albury.
She headed for Canberra for the resumption of parliament after the match played at the Norm Minns Oval.
