INDI MP Helen Haines is surprised a government minister involved in the budget build-up is "raking through" her parliamentary record for an attack advertisement.
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Liberal Party senator Jane Hume, the Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology, authorised an advertisement printed in the North East press this week.
It featured Dr Haines appearing between Labor Party figures Anthony Albanese and Bill Shorten with lines stating "In the last two weeks of Parliament Helen Haines voted with Labor 78% of the time. Indi didn't vote Labor".
Asked by The Border Mail about her reaction to the advertisement, Dr Haines queried Senator Hume's focus.
"I'm rather surprised that the minister responsible for that ad would find the time to be raking through my voting record when we're days away from the most important budget that our nation has seen in some time," Dr Haines said.
"(I'm surprised) when we're in the midst of the worst recession that we've had since 1930, when we have record rates of unemployment, and when half a million people have emptied their super accounts, that ads such as that from the minister responsible for superannuation would appear in our papers.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"I would have thought that she would be far too busy for that and that there would be plenty more important things to be focussing on."
On the claim she was a Labor stooge, Dr Haines noted over that fortnight the government gagged debate on matters such as environment protection laws overseen by Farrer MP and Environment Minister Sussan Ley.
"I vote for Indi 100 per cent of the time," Dr Haines said.
"In the last two weeks of parliament there were significant issues with debate being shutdown in the house, I will always vote in support of debate."
Senator Hume ignored Dr Haines' point on her focus.
In a statement to The Border Mail she repeated the advert's line and said Dr Haines "has had a communication breakdown in Canberra".
"Spending 78 per cent of the time supporting the Labor Opposition is time not spent communicating with the government," Senator Hume said.
"I've spent this time fighting for Indi and we've seen that this week with the announcement of $3 million for the restoration of the Mount Buffalo chalet and $6 million in roads funding, including the important reconstruction of the Corryong Stock Route - and there is more to come.
"This is real funding, locked-in, that creates jobs and grows our economy.
Helen Haines should be more transparent with Indi about her voting record and where her allegiances lie."
