Australian Federal Police have raided the electoral office of Wollongong MP Noreen Hay over allegations of electoral fraud.
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On December 8, 2014, the AFP received a referral from the Australian Electoral Commission relating to the allegations.
This was two days after Ms Hay was re-endorsed in a controversial Wollongong Labor preselection ballot.
An AFP spokesman said a search warrant was executed on the premises in Wollongong on Wednesday, as part of an investigation linked to the allegations.
‘‘As the matter is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further,’’ the spokesman said.
It is unclear whether the raid is related to the preselection process, which was plagued by allegations of branch stacking, doctored minutes and dodgy attendance books.
There were reports that Sussex Street was ‘‘pulling out all stops’’ to protect Ms Hay from challenger Paul Scully, a Wollongong academic.
Wollongong councillor Ann Martin also ran for preselection.
On Thursday night Cr Martin told the Mercury she was ‘‘shocked’’ at news of the investigation.
Ms Hay could not be reached for comment.
A spokesman for NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said Ms Hay had advised that the AFP had arrived at her office on Wednesday ‘‘pursuing an investigation’’.
‘‘We understand the Member and her office have offered the AFP every assistance in the investigation,’’ the spokesman said.
‘‘We have asked for further information which we anticipate will be provided tomorrow [Friday].’’
This story first appeared in the Illawarra Mercury.