Former human rights commissioner Tim Wilson has been branded a "danger" to families in a smear pamphlet released as he seeks Liberal preselection in the Victorian seat of Goldstein.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-18/tim-wilson-branded-danger-to-families-in-s...

Mr Wilson is up against Alexander Downer's daughter Georgina and former aid worker Dr Denis Dragovic in the battle to win preselection in the blue-ribbon electorate, one of only four seats that has been consistently held by the Liberals since Federation.

A four-page pamphlet emphasising Mr Wilson's support for gay marriage, same-sex adoption and the Safe Schools anti-bullying program was sent to all preselectors in the Melbourne seat on Thursday.

"Tim is a danger to our families, schools and the local community," it reads.

"Tim's homosexuality is not the problem. It is his unrelenting campaign for gay rights issues and waste of taxpayers' money."

Liberal insiders say both the organisation and the person appear to be fake.

It is a last-minute twist to what was already a hotly contested fight for that rare prize in politics — a secure job and a very high chance at sitting at the Cabinet table.

The battle for Goldstein has attracted what Liberal Party members have called a very impressive field.

"What's interesting about this field is it's not large in number, but the quality of the candidates is very high, different and they're all reasonably young," former Victorian premier and party heavyweight Jeff Kennett told 7.30.

Downer: Establishment favourite with party pedigree

Ms Downer is the Liberal establishment favourite, backed by Victorian Liberal party president Michael Kroger, Andrew Robb and Mr Kennett.

"Georgina Downer is someone I've given a reference to and have supported," Mr Robb confirmed to 7.30.

However, 7.30 understand that in the last two weeks her local support has ebbed away.

Phone calls from the former foreign minister Alexander Downer to delegates have often fallen flat, with resentment from local preselectors to the idea of an establishment pick being foisted upon them.

Ms Downer might also have been expected to appeal to a party that says it wants to get more frontline female politicians.

However, recent by-elections in Victoria (for Dunkley and the Senate vacancy left be the departing Michael Ronaldson) have seen highly qualified women lose out to less experienced men.

Now it appears the two front runners are Mr Wilson and Dr Dragovic.

As a former member of the conservative think tank the Institute for Public Affairs, and then human rights commissioner, Mr Wilson enjoys the support of many Canberra politicians.

His campaign pamphlet features endorsements from both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former PM Tony Abbott.

Victorian Senator Scott Ryan, a key power-broker in the state, has been making calls on Mr Wilson's behalf.

Political scientist Nick Economou said Mr Wilson's views were already widely know.

"He does hold quite firm views on a range of social issues," Dr Economou said.

"He's also very much a person who likes to project the idea that he's a defender of free speech. So, on social issues he is quite progressive, and considered to be a rising star inside the Liberal Party."

But as the dirt sheet shows, those views may not sit well with the local members.

This dude was getting paid 400K a year to be the human rights commissioner !! What the hell did he do for the money ? Snouts in the trough for these word smiths in this country

She should stick to the things that matter.

crocodile wrote on Mar 19^th, 2016 at 3:45pm:


It's true. Downer was knocked out a little earlier. Wilson 142 votes, Dragovic 140 votes.

Sir lastnail wrote on Mar 19^th, 2016 at 7:32am:



Disgraceful that he was picked for that role.

crocodile wrote on Mar 19^th, 2016 at 6:19pm:


The disability commissioner was removed specifically in order make room for this ideologically driven position. Yes, it absolutely was a disgrace as the disability commissioner was an infinitely more useful role that millions of people actually benefited from. Wilson did absolutely nothing worthwhile - just pontificated on people's right to offend.

And just as an aside - word is the government has finally caught on to the fact that we need a disability commissioner and is set to reinstate it.

polite_gandalf wrote on Mar 19^th, 2016 at 6:57pm:


So how is the removal of the disability commissioner any fault of Tim Wilson's.

He did in fact do more than nothing worthwhile. His work relating to Aboriginals and the economic use of their land titles deserves at least some recognition.

crocodile wrote on Mar 19^th, 2016 at 6:19pm:


shirtlifter? is that slang for poof? If so then no, I have nothing against poofs. Know a few, even gone to gay bars (with girlfriend in tow) ...I'll give em one thing, they know how to party.

It's disgraceful because he didn't give a crap about human rights!