By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A CASEY Council election candidate has been stood down from his postie duties after being caught delivering his election campaign material in his Australia Post uniform on the Grand Final Eve public holiday in Berwick.
Russell Larkins, who is employed by Australia Post, was photographed by rival Edrington Ward candidate James Williams during the how-to-vote card mailout on 30 September.
Mr Larkins – who said his manager told him to give no comment – said he was “disappointed” that Mr Williams had taken issue with his deliveries
“I was just using a bit of nouse,” Mr Larkins said.
“It was on my own time. There was nothing in expenses passed on to Australia Post.
“My manager said I’d done nothing wrong. It’s a beat up.”
Mr Larkins said since the delivery he, his wife and kids had been posting his flyers by foot.
“There’s other people who can afford to have them delivered by a distribution company. I can’t afford it.”
He said he’d rung up Mr Williams after the incident, but his rival “got angry and hung up on me”.
An Australia Post spokeswoman said a staff member had contravened strict protocols regarding Australia Post’s role in election campaigns.
“We take this incident extremely seriously.
“The employee has been removed from all delivery duties for the duration of the local government election period.
“We have commenced a formal inquiry into the incident and appropriate disciplinary action will be applied.”
The spokeswoman said the staff member was wearing his postman uniform but not using official delivery equipment.
Mr Williams said it would cost other candidates a “great deal” to have their brochures personally delivered by Australia Post.
He said he asked Mr Larkins at the time if he was allowed to be in an Australia Post uniform and driving on the footpath, but received no answer.
“As an investigator, I think transparency and integrity are essential attributes for those serving our community.
“It is disturbing that a candidate is potentially breaking the law whilst campaigning.
“With Casey Council’s history marred by investigations and shameful headlines, this sort of behaviour needs to be exposed.”
