Nationals' Bridget McKenzie demands retraction from Labor MP over booing claimsBy Shannon Schubert and Fiona ParkerABC Central VictoriaTopic:Australian Federal Elections1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:07amNationals senator Bridget McKenzie has asked Lisa Chesters to apologise for her comments. (ABC News/Supplied)In short:Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has requested a retraction from incumbent Labor MP Lisa Chesters over allegations she booed voters.Ms Chesters told an ABC local radio broadcast the senator had booed people taking Labor preference pamphlets at a pre-polling centre.What's next?The seat of Bendigo remains undecided but early figures show a strong swing towards the Nationals in the previously safe seat.abc.net.au/news/bridget-mckenzie-angry-over-booing-allegations-by-lisa-chesters/105252594Link copiedShareShare articleNationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has asked a Labor MP to take back allegations she booed people taking Labor preference cards at an early voting centre.Incumbent member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, whose hold on the seat is in the balance, said Senator McKenzie booed voters taking her how-to-vote cards during pre-poll voting in the Central Victorian seat of Bendigo.The fight for the seat is likely to go down to the wire, with counting so far showing a significant swing towards Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean.Last week, Ms Chesters told the ABC she had endured a nasty campaign."There has been a lot of intimidation at early voting," Ms Chesters said."Senator Bridget McKenzie was booing people as they took my how-to-vote card."Senator McKenzie stopped short of denying the allegation but told ABC Local Radio she had sought legal advice and a public retraction from Ms Chesters."I've written to Lisa Chesters seeking a retraction of those wrongful comments," she said.Election essentials:Federal election live updates: Follow the latest news in our blogLive results: Find out what's happening in your seat as counting continuesVoters explain what went wrong for the coalition"I think the mood on the booths, as I stood there with National Party supporters, was incredibly positive and respectful and energetic, as it should be in a democracy."Ms Chesters has been contacted for comment.Ms Chesters says it was a "nasty" campaign involving a "tidal wave" of money from the Nationals. (ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert)Still in doubtDespite a landslide federal election victory, Labor is at risk of losing the previously safe seat as counting continues.Labor has held the seat of Bendigo since 1998, with Ms Chesters elected as its member in 2013.If the Nationals win the seat, it will represent a swing of more than 11 per cent towards the party.Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie (right), supporting first-time candidate for the seat of Bendigo Andrew Lethlean. (Facebook)On Monday morning, Labor was ahead in the polls with around 85 per cent of votes counted.However, it was estimated that her lead was roughly 606 votes.The seat was previously held by the ALP by a margin of 11.2 per cent.Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean is a well-known publican in the region but has not avoided scrutiny, with the liquor licence at his venue criticised in the lead-up to the election.The Nationals have yet to specify how much was spent on Mr Lethlean's campaign, but Ms Chesters stated her opponent had access to a $1 million "war chest".Senator McKenzie says she has sought legal advice over the booing allegation. (ABC News: Matt Roberts/file photo)Senator McKenzie did not reveal how much was spent on the campaign, but said it was "a lot less" than independent Alex Dyson in Wannon.Mr Dyson, who was unsuccessful in his bid to topple Liberal MP Dan Tehan, had a front-facing donation tally exceeding $1.1 million.The Australian Electoral Commission is waiting to count postal votes in transit and analysts expect a recount will be done tomorrow.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:07am, updated 41m ago41 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:31amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLiberals closing gap in Goldstein, Bradfield as postal votes favour CoalitionLIVEPhoto shows Zoe Daniel looks into the distance at a press conference at Parliament HouseAlbanese says he received 'very warm' phone call from Donald TrumpTopic:Foreign AffairsPhoto shows a middle-aged man wearing glasses pointing'Laughable policies': Voters explain what went wrong for CoalitionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A young coupleFirst Canada, then Australia: Trump is toxic for conservatives everywhereAAnalysis by Alan KohlerPhoto shows man with a bald head and glasses faces a man with blond hairOutgoing Liberals blast Angus Taylor, party's lack of womenTopic:Liberal Party of AustraliaPhoto shows Hollie Hughes dstopRelated storiesThis guy is 'everywhere' but is it enough to swing a safe Labor seat?Topic:ElectionsPhoto shows a big sign of a guy's face on the corner of a historic building in Bendigo Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean under pressure over lapsed liquor licenceTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Andrew Lethlean addressing media with Nationals leader David Littleproud and senator Bridget McKenzie standing behind him.Related topicsAustralian Federal ElectionsBendigoFederal ParliamentPolitical CandidatesTop StoriesLiberals closing gap in Goldstein, Bradfield as postal votes favour CoalitionTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Zoe Daniel looks into the distance at a press conference at Parliament HouseAlbanese says he received 'very warm' phone call from Donald TrumpTopic:Foreign Affairs'Laughable policies': Voters explain what went wrong for CoalitionTopic:ElectionsFirst Canada, then Australia: Trump is toxic for conservatives everywhereAAnalysis by Alan KohlerOutgoing Liberals blast Angus Taylor, party's lack of womenTopic:Liberal Party of AustraliaJust InRevolver nightclub groper avoids jail after assaulting 17 womenTopic:Sexual Offences6m ago6 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 4:05amAlbanese to 'slow the pace' as factions jostle over cabinet reshuffleTopic:Federal Government12m ago12 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 4:00amYouth to drive Popovic's Socceroos, but one rising star is yet to commitTopic:Socceroos29m ago29 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:43amHeritage push for phone box that was lifeline during bushfiresTopic:Information and Communication31m ago31 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:40amMore Just InBack to top