Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am not aware of that case, Senator. But, as Senator Xenophon pointed out, we do all recall the Labor Party booth workers dressed as Family First booth workers. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and I know that is true in a policy sense but I do not think it is true when it comes to booth workers, their appearance and the material that they hand out. That was an outrageous instance, and it is appropriate that Senator Xenophon raised it and sought to find a way to address it. The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is currently reviewing the 2010 election, and this matter among others is currently being considered. We think that is the appropriate place for that to happen. I know that Senator Xenophon has been in discussions with the shadow special minister of state about ways that that might be further examined, but we think that it is premature at this stage to seek to go further in expanding the use of the concept of misleading and deceptive conduct in the political arena. We therefore will not be supporting the amendments.