Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie says he sold the post office at the centre of a political row to an investor from Sydney.
Labor has launched a High Court challenge against the Nationals MP because it believes the Australia Post outlet in the Lighthouse area of Port Macquarie could be an indirect financial interest in the Commonwealth.
That would be grounds for disqualification under section 44(v) of the constitution. The possibility that Dr Gillespie might lose his seat had threatened the coalition government’s parliamentary majority.
Dr Gillespie said he needed to sell the post office.
“I have got bills that I have got to meet, including the High Court bill. I have never had any dealings with Australia Post,” said the Lyne MP, who bought the shopping complex which already had a post office in it.
“We will redeploy our funds elsewhere. I always pay my bills,” he added.
If the High Court challenge proceeds, and Dr Gillespie is disqualified, there would be an immediate by-election, and it’s believed that he would run again.
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Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
