Former cabinet minister and current independent MP for Calare Andrew Gee has drawn attention for a social media blunder overnight.
In a Facebook post which called out his former party, the Nationals, one of the top comments praised the politician but the comment appeared to be from Gee’s own account.
“Thank you Andrew Gee MP,” the comment said.
“I am new to the area and have received multiple texts from the Nationals and seen nasty ads in the paper from the Teal mob, it has helped me see who is the good guy!”
9News.com.au has contacted Gee’s office for comment.
A spokesperson for Gee said the comment was made “without Mr Gee’s knowledge by a new and inexperienced member of the campaign team who had access to the page”, in a statement to the ABC.
The spokesperson added the staff member ”knows it was an extremely disappointing and unacceptable thing to do” and Gee “does not condone, approve of or support under any circumstances”.
“The team member has expressed genuine remorse and distress, their duties have now been modified so it won’t happen again,” the spokesperson added.
“We’re providing appropriate levels of care and support”.
The post has drawn comparisons to one made by Liberal MP Angus Taylor in 2019, who replied to his own Facebook post which announced 1000 car spaces at Campbelltown Station in Sydney.
“Fantastic. Well done Angus. Great move,” the comment read.
At that time, a spokesperson said the reply was a “simple mistake” which happened when an admin switched between accounts.