FED:Labor desperate, Jameson says

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2010
FED:Labor desperate, Jameson says

Isabel Hayes

SYDNEY, Aug 17 AAP - Liberal candidate Darren Jameson has accused Labor of going to
"desperate lengths" to hold onto a marginal seat on the NSW Central Coast.

Labor party workers had physically intimidated his campaigners in the seat of Robertson,
Mr Jameson said on Tuesday.

He also claimed one of his campaigners was tailgated after removing signs from a public
property, while campaigners on placard-bearing bicycles were harassed and followed by
a truck used by the Labor party.

Labor has categorically denied any involvement in a smear campaign against Mr Jameson,
describing his claims as "ludicrous".

Mr Jameson said all the incidents have been reported to police.

"Over the last couple of days, the campaign in this seat has gone to ridiculous lengths
as the Labor party tries to cling desperately to this seat," he told reporters in Gosford.

Mr Jameson was on Monday accused of being aggressive towards two boys he believed had
thrown eggs at his car.

But the complaint lodged with police at Gosford by one of the boy's parents was withdrawn
on Tuesday.

"I'm very very pleased that we can now concentrate on the real issues here in Robertson
and not continue with the smear campaign that has taken place over the last 12 hours,"

Mr Jameson said.

He said he believed someone in the Labor party had leaked the story to the Daily Telegraph.

"The average person on the street does not know how to strategically place information
into the media so it appears on the front page of a newspaper," he said.

"I can tell you now I won't be intimidated, my campaign workers won't be intimidated
and the voters of Robertson and the people of this election will not be intimidated."

Mr Jameson said he had been in touch with Tony Abbott's office, after the opposition
leader spoke out in support of his candidate on Tuesday morning.

"I thank him for his support in what has been a very very difficult time, not only
for myself but for my family," said Mr Jameson, who is a respected local police officer.

He is considered a strong prospect to take the marginal seat, for which Belinda Neal
was the MP until the election was called.

Ms Neal lost the Labor party preselection in March to Deborah O'Neill, a university lecturer.

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KEYWORD: POLL10 JAMESON 3RD UPDATE

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