'Smear campaign' won't distract me, says Labor's John Carey

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan openly criticised Premier Colin Barnett and his party for engaging in “dirty pool” and “gutter politics” to hang on to the Perth seat which sitting member Eleni Evangel stands to lose.

It comes just days after Mr Barnett predicted the election was going to “get ugly”.

“John is a popular local mayor who has done some great work and the Liberal Party knows they could lose their seat to John so they are coming out with a smear campaign,” Mr McGowan said. .

“This is just a deliberate smear and slur run by the Liberal Party on a person who doesn’t deserve it and they’re doing it for political purposes. I find this kind of politics awful and the fact that the Premier is allowing this to happen is unbecoming of the office.”

Later on Facebook, Mr Carey told his supporters: “I’m not going to be distracted by a Liberal Party smear campaign. I’m going to keep working my guts out for our community.”

The West Australian reported yesterday that former Beatty Park Leisure Centre contractor Lincoln Stewart had spoken to Corruption and Crime Commission investigators last month. He had also lodged a Fair Work Commission complaint against the City of Vincent.

The City of Vincent said yesterday the complaint to FWC by a “former disgruntled contractor” in no way involved Mr Carey.

“Lincoln Stewart had made a number of claims and allegations regarding City of Vincent personnel and management of Beatty Park Leisure Centre,” Vincent CEO Len Kosova said.

“The city through its legal representatives subsequently advised Mr Stewart to cease making false statements.

“Mr Stewart had also previously been banned from attending Beatty Park Leisure Centre due to aggressive and antisocial behaviour at the time.”

Mr Kosova also rejected claims the city had rebuffed an FOI request from The West Australian. He said the request was waiting for Mr Stewart’s approval. Mr Stewart declined to comment yesterday.

Labor Party stalwart Alannah MacTiernan said the role of the Liberals was “shameful”.

“The fact this contractor may have referred something to CCC means absolutely nothing, just merely that this person is disgruntled,” she said.

Mr Barnett said the Liberal Party was not involved in spreading any rumours.