A federal election candidate has used his official Twitter account to post an offensive and homophobic tweet directed at Labor Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
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Independent candidate Andrew Thaler, of Nimmitabel, posted a tweet on Wednesday, December 12, under his “Andrew Thaler 4 EdenMonaro” Twitter handle, referring to Mr Shorten as “BackDoorBill – because you seem to like a bit of back door action”.
While it initially refers to using the term due to Mr Shorten’s support for the controversial “Access and Assistance” cybersecurity legislation, Mr Thaler followed it up with “We the People don’t want you in our back doors. Ok. Even if you ‘promise’ to use protection.”
When contacted for comment, Mr Thaler said he was playing with language to be “provocative”.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, the same election candidate is facing court proceedings for alleged harassment via a carriage service, charges for which he has pleaded not guilty.
Mr Thaler has been charged with one count of stalking/intimidation, and one count of using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend.
The matter was first heard on December 4 in Bombala Local Court, where a plea of not guilty was lodged and the matter adjourned for February 5 at Bombala.
