Labor’s candidate for the New England Laura Hughes has spoken against and distanced herself from social media comments suggesting New England MP Barnaby Joyce’s cancer diagnosis should be used to question his integrity or fitness to serve.
Ms Hughes says personal health should never be politicised adding they can and should hold each other accountable on policy and leadership—but drawing lines around private medical matters is not only unfair, it’s deeply inappropriate.
She wished Mr Joyce all the best for his recovery and urge everyone to keep their political discourse respectful and grounded in compassion.
Despite losing the election on Saturday, Ms Hughes confirmed to STA FM that she intended to continue in politics and thanked those who stopped to have a yarn, came to events as well as those who organised them, who volunteered their time, and who supported her—whether in person or online.
