Federal Election 2025: Labor accuses independent MP Dai Le of hosting anti-Bowen campaign hub in Fowler home
Sky News has obtained a private group chat linking independent MP Dai Le's residence to a NSW Young Liberal effort to oust Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
Labor has claimed that Fowler MP Dai Le's home is being used to collect campaign material to be used against Energy Minister Chris Bowen in the neighbouring seat of McMahon.
The conversation shows an exchange between what is purported to be the Macarthur Young Libs and the Young Liberal NSW Vice President Christian Martinazzo.
Screenshots reveal one Young Liberal saying to Mr Martinazzo, 'Chris Bowen belongs in the concrete base of a wind turbine in the Pacific Ocean'.
Then there was a response from Mr Martinazzo which indicated that paraphernalia can be picked up from Ms Le's address.
'Anytime from 3:30 onwards contact is Markus Lambert - Dai Le,' Mr Martinazzo said.
'Feel free to help turf him out we need all the help we can get.'
He then goes on to say his Nonno hates Chris Bowen.
Sky News contacted Mr Lambert, Ms Le's husband—formerly a Liberal Party member—and he angrily denied anyone has picked up material from his home to distribute anywhere.
He said he doesn't use his home for such purposes and blamed dirty tricks from Labor and said it was a fake group chat.
He said 'I'm pissed off' at the allegations.
Mr Lambert also said, 'Bowen is on the nose, he's losing'.
As for Mr Martinazzo, he confirmed the group chat was authentic but said he was passed the address to pass on from someone else.
He said he had checked and it was only authorised material that was distributed and that the young Liberals were "harassed" by Bowen supporters.
He didn't know either Mr Lambert or Dai Le.
In response, Energy Minister Chris Bowen blamed Ms Le for attempting to campaign against him, despite not being her competitor.
'Dai Le claims to be an Independent focussed on Fowler. In fact, she has been caught using her home as a base for a vile Liberal campaign in McMahon,' he said.
'Is this what she means by politics done differently?'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Retired US General Jack Keane says lack of American submarines ‘real basis' for Trump administration's AUKUS review
Retired US General Jack Keane has said he believes American concerns over having enough submarines for their own fleet is underpinning the AUKUS defence pact review instigated by the Trump administration. A primary pillar of AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership agreed to in 2021, is to enable Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as well as other advanced weapons. The newly announced review into the pact is being headed by Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, who has previously been critical of the submarine deal. Speaking to Sky News Host Andrew Bolt on Thursday, Mr Keane said he believed concerns over the US holding on to enough submarines is the 'real basis' for AUKUS coming under the microscope. 'I mean, we know for a fact, we don't have anywhere near all the submarines that we would like to have and it's the submarines where we have the advantage, the United States and our allies, over China itself,' the former general said. '(China) have decisive advantages in surface ships, in offence and defensive missiles, and also the number of aeroplanes that they have every day in the region. Submarines is something we want more of.' However, Mr Keane said he thought having Australian-operated American submarines in Indo-Pacific waters would be a 'real strategic plus'. The former general was asked whether the American popular opinion could swing away from thinking US submarines being operated under an Australian flag is good idea, but Mr Keane said he did not hold such concerns. 'I think the primary issue is the number of submarines. The United States knows we don't have enough. It takes us too long to build them, and we've got to get it right,' he said. The former general's remarks come as questions continue to be asked about whether the Albanese government has pledged enough of the nation's GDP towards defence, with pressure mounting from Washington for Canberra to boost its military spending. Sky New News Host Sharri Markson revealed on Thursday the Trump administration will use the AUKUS review as way to try and push Australia towards increasing its defence budget. Meanwhile, former prime minister Scott Morrison, who oversaw the formation of AUKUS, has declared he is not concerned about what the US-led review may mean for the future of the security partnership. 'It's totally within their remit… Incoming governments do reviews. Keir Starmer did a review and that resulted in the UK government being even more committed to AUKUS,' Mr Morrison told Sky News. His sentiments were echoed by Defence Minister Richard Marles, who downplayed anxieties while also confirming Australia knew about the review in advance. Former Australian Minister Alexander Downer has likewise said he does not think Australia should be concerned, asserting his belief the US will not scrap the agreement under President Trump's reign. 'I think there is going to be a debate within the American system about selling to Australia Virginia-class submarines,' Mr Downer told Sky News Host Chris Kenny on Thursday. 'Not because of the technology of the submarines, but because the American administration will argue that they haven't got enough submarines and they can't build them fast enough.' Mr Downer also said he thinks the US are concerned about Australia's defence spending in light of the review. "I think they would be concerned about our low level of defence expenditure and the way the Australian defence forces have become increasingly depleted," he said. "But I don't think in the end the Americans are going to cancel the AUKUS programme. You have to remember this is a trilateral programme, not a bilateral programme, and Britain is the, if you like, second player in it, certainly the second most important player in it."

Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
High Court of Australia
Crime High Court to hear Obeid, Macdonald appeal over coal licence convictions The nation's highest court will examine the convictions of NSW Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, his son Moses, and his former ministerial ally, Ian Macdonald. Michaela Whitbourn Latest Australia votes 'Looks and smells like a tax': Dutton's gas plan flagged as unconstitutional Dutton's Australian gas scheme could spark a High Court battle with fossil fuel giants and legal experts warn the policy appears discriminatory. April 17, 2025 Nick Toscano and Mike Foley Opinion Gender equality A kick in the guts for women: The legal profession's re-embrace of a disgraced judge What message does it send when judges and lawyers lionise former High Court judge Dyson Heydon, who was found to have sexually harassed a number of associates and who drove women from the profession? March 20, 2025 Gabrielle Appleby Opinion Australia votes This referendum folly is as mad an idea as I have heard in years. Dutton must rule it out The last thing Australians want is the distraction of yet another ideologically inspired constitutional referendum. March 18, 2025 George Brandis Exclusive Australia votes Dutton wants referendum on giving politicians ability to deport dual citizens Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and his senior MPs have held high-level talks about a referendum on powers to strip citizenship for dual nationals who commit serious crimes. March 17, 2025 Paul Sakkal For subscribers Controversial High Court ruling could be used against sex abuse victims like Greg Greg Barclay was sexually assaulted by a Marist brother in 1970, but his quest for compensation has been blocked by a controversial High Court judgment that found the Catholic Church was not legally responsible for the misconduct of its clerics. March 1, 2025 Cameron Houston Updated Building Bad High Court appeal 'stymying' push to weed out CFMEU corruption Administrator Mark Irving has found addressing corruption in the shadow of an unresolved High Court challenge has 'impeded the prompt implementation' of reforms. February 25, 2025 Olivia Ireland Immigration Murderer among former detainees to be shifted to Nauru Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says the Pacific island nation has approached Australia to take three violent criminal members of a group of former immigration detainees. February 16, 2025 Paul Sakkal

Sky News AU
8 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Very little communication' between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump
On tonight's episode of Paul Murray Live, Sky News host Paul Murray discusses the tragic Air India crash, Anthony Albanese's potential meeting with Donald Trump and more. Mr Murray said there has been 'very little communication' between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump. Anthony Albanese has held a closer relationship with the Chinese government instead, he added.