Nationals' Bridget McKenzie demands retraction from Labor MP over booing claims

Australia Broadcast Center

05-05-2025

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has asked a Labor MP to take back allegations she booed people taking Labor preference cards at an early voting centre.
Incumbent member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, whose hold on the seat is in the balance, said Senator McKenzie booed voters taking her how-to-vote cards during pre-poll voting in the Central Victorian seat of Bendigo.
The fight for the seat is likely to go down to the wire, with counting so far showing a significant swing towards
Last week, Ms Chesters told the ABC she had
"There has been a lot of intimidation at early voting," Ms Chesters said.
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Senator Bridget McKenzie was booing people as they took my how-to-vote card.
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Senator McKenzie stopped short of denying the allegation but told ABC Local Radio she had sought legal advice and a public retraction from Ms Chesters.
"I've written to Lisa Chesters seeking a retraction of those wrongful comments," she said.
Election essentials:
"I think the mood on the booths, as I stood there with National Party supporters, was incredibly positive and respectful and energetic, as it should be in a democracy."
Ms Chesters has been contacted for comment.
Ms Chesters says it was a "nasty" campaign involving a "tidal wave" of money from the Nationals.
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ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert
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Still in doubt
Despite a landslide federal election victory, Labor is at risk of losing the previously safe seat as counting continues.
Labor has held the seat of Bendigo since 1998, with Ms Chesters elected as its member in 2013.
If the Nationals win the seat, it will represent a swing of more than 11 per cent towards the party.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie (right), supporting first-time candidate for the seat of Bendigo Andrew Lethlean.
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On Monday morning, Labor was ahead in the polls with around 85 per cent of votes counted.
However, it was estimated that her lead was roughly 606 votes.
The seat was previously held by the ALP by a margin of 11.2 per cent.
Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean is a well-known publican in the region but has not avoided scrutiny, with
The Nationals have yet to specify how much was spent on Mr Lethlean's campaign, but Ms Chesters stated her opponent had access to a $1 million "war chest".
Senator McKenzie did not reveal how much was spent on the campaign, but said it was "a lot less" than independent Alex Dyson in Wannon.
Mr Dyson, who was unsuccessful in his bid to topple Liberal MP Dan Tehan, had a front-facing donation tally exceeding $1.1 million.
The Australian Electoral Commission is waiting to count postal votes in transit and analysts expect a recount will be done tomorrow.