WA: Police called in to investigate WA vote rigging claims

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2004
WA: Police called in to investigate WA vote rigging claims

The West Australian Opposition has asked police to investigate allegations of vote-rigging
in the state's Labor Party.

The office of Opposition leader COLIN BARNETT has confirmed police have been sent documents
relating to claims that two unions in the state inflated membership numbers to gain more
power within the ALP.

Police were sent a copy of the allegations originally made by Senator MARK BISHOP.

He's claimed that the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Liquor, Hospitality
and Miscellaneous Workers Union inflated their membership figures.

He says the votes altered the balance of power in a series of contests, including preselection
for a Legislative Assembly seat.

He also says the votes helped install Police Minister MICHELLE ROBERTS as party president.

Those claims prompted the Liquor, Hospitality Union to sue Senator BISHOP for defamation
in the WA Supreme Court.

The matter has also been referred to the state's newly established Corruption and Crime
Commission.

AAP RTV tc/hn/rh/rp

KEYWORD: VOTE WA (PERTH)

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