A union at the centre of a fight against Sunbury’s planned secession is seeking legal advice after a bogus flyer was circulated in Hume.
The flyer, based on a previous leaflet put out by the Australian Services Union (ASU), has been amended to include ‘‘there are no plans for new schools, hospitals or infrastructure” in Sunbury.
The flyer also states: ‘‘The ASU agrees: [Sunbury MP] Josh Bull and Labor have no plans for Sunbury’’, and it claims to have been authorised by the union. Titled ‘Sunbury residents: Facts you need to know’, the flyer was inserted into many newspapers delivered in the town last week.
ASU state secretary Richard Duffy said whoever created the ‘‘fraudulent’’ leaflet must believe people were stupid.
‘‘It’s a pretty dirty tactic by some pretty desperate people,’’ Mr Duffy said. ‘‘We’ve been consistent all along. ‘Sunbury out of Hume’ is bad for the community and it’s bad for our members.’’
Mr Duffy said a union petition calling for a new, compulsory vote had so far been signed by 5000 people.
Sunbury Residents Association president Bernie O’Farrell said pro-split supporters met with Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins last week but received no confirmation that Sunbury City would come into existence on July 1, as planned.
Ms Hutchins has previously said Labor’s review of the Sunbury project would not be rushed. Mr Bull could not be reached for comment.
