New South Wales electoral commission concludes Mathew Dickerson investigation

Several people complained to the electoral commission about business advertising that appeared on billboards, buses and newspapers that used words such as independent and trust. The commission commenced an investigation after it received further complaints when political advertising started to appear with similar colours and layouts to the business advertising.

One of those complainants has told the Daily Liberal the commission has written to him to confirm Mr Dickerson has not breached the funding act with his advertising.

Mr Dickerson said he was always confident that the complaints made against him were vexatious and frivolous.

"I had confidence in the process through the electoral commission," he said.

“For some people, this result from the electoral commission may be a major milestone or turning point in this campaign. The day when dirty big-party attack politics was finally shown for what it is. A negative tactic designed to distract and obfuscate my message of true representation. 

"Through the entire inquiry process, I have continued knocking on doors, talking to people, listening to their needs. Despite the best efforts of the parties, the constant attacks and innuendo and rumours of a possible by-election have not gained traction across the electorate. 

"People are more interested in having a representative that can give them an effective and positive voice in Parliament – not in having a big party that will constantly snipe and focus on their opponents. My intention is not to focus on my opponents; I will continue to focus on the people of this wonderful electorate and give them a voice.”  

Labor's Stephen Lawrence said the voters would be the ultimate judge of Mr Dickerson.

"I called for the investigation to be finalised well before the election and am relieved it has been," he said.

"But the broader questions raised about 'Clive Palmer' style politics are worrying. I believe the Dickerson precedent will probably lead to law reform down the track.

"Perhaps that reform will be a tightening of the definition of electoral expenditure. Now it's time for all candidates and campaigns to focus on the issues."