Clive Palmer's United Australia Party has come under fire for using corflutes printed in China, however the Wannon candidate says it was necessary to ensure they were ready in time for the federal election.
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A post on the Wannon Votes federal election discussion group on Facebook queried why the party had used a Chinese printing company for its campaign material.
Candidate Josh Wallace responded, saying it was due to time restraints.
It comes after party leader Clive Palmer delivered an extraordinary tirade against Australia's biggest trading partner, describing the Chinese government as "mongrels" who shoot their own people in 2014.
In a broad spray on national television, he accused the "communist Chinese government" of trying to take over Australia's ports to steal the nation's natural resources. He later apologised for his comments.
Fellow candidates Malcolm Billi (Labor) and Dan Tehan (Liberal) have had their election corflutes printed in Victoria.
"The truthful answer is the number of corfluets (sic) we needed within the time period we had was not doable in Australia," Mr Wallace wrote in response to the query.
"If we did it here they wouldn't be finished till (sic) after the election. We thought the more important thing was to get our message out. Also I would be very suprised (sic) if the other parties were not doing the same thing.
"It is a sad state that Australian industry is not competitive, we are here to create conditions where we can be competitive. Where possible we have gone with Australian companies, such as our business cards.
"Also note that we are not some crazy anti China people. We just don't think it's in the national interest to have the chinese (sic) owning our ports, airports, farmland...etc. With your support we can make Australia great!"
It was also revealed earlier this year the yellow United Australia party t-shirts were also made in China.
Mr Wallace said he had corflutes on private property around the south-west.
"Time restraints is really the reason, Australia is not competitive in this industry," he said.
"We needed a large amount within two weeks and it wasn't achievable within Australia.
"What we are trying to do here is massive. We are trying to create a third major party. It requires a lot to do. We are trying to run in all 150 seats in the house of representatives. That's a lot of corflutes."
Mr Tehan said his Liberal party would preference the United Australia Party.
"These are decisions that are made by the admin wing of the party, but my understanding is that a preference deal has been made with the Palmer United party," he said.
"The preferences for Wannon for my how to vote card will be the United Australia party second, then Alex Dyson (independent) will be third and Labor and the Greens last.
'I am very pleased that Labor and the Greens are last on my how to vote card."
In other federal election news, the incumbent Wannon announced over $241,000 of capital grants funding for the Abbeyfield Hostel in Mortlake on Friday.
"These capital works will not only lead to bigger and better-aged care services, but they will also support local construction jobs and businesses in and around Mortlake," Mr Tehan said.
"Improving and expanding local residential facilities and aged care services is fundamental to keeping our communities strong. Our seniors play such a huge role in our rural and regional communities, so it is important that we look after them."
Three volunteer organisations in Camperdown were also the beneficiaries of volunteer grants.
Camperdown Botanic Gardens received $1000 to purchase new garden tools, $4395 went to the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail for improved storage facilities and a new computer, and $2740 to the Camperdown Little Athletics Centre for athletics equipment.
"It is wonderful to see these three important community groups receive grants from the Coalition Government," Mr Tehan said.
"The volunteers who maintain the Camperdown Botanic Gardens are badly in need of new garden tools, so this funding will enable them to purchase the tools they need to keep their gardens beautiful. For the volunteers to look after the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail, they need more storage in a central location for their equipment and materials, as well as a new computer to keep their records."
"At the Camperdown Little Athletics Centre, this funding will go towards trolleys for their hurdles and a new high jump. This will help our young athletes keep active and participating in sport."
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