A federal Liberal Party candidate has sparked outrage after he was accused of casting a campaign volunteer to appear as a 'tradie' in a recent campaign ad.
The social media video shows the candidate for Goldstein Tim Wilson vowing to make housing more affordable while engaged in conversation with a young tradie wearing a hi vis vest and hard hat at a construction site.
Eagle eyed viewers noticed the tradesman in the paid ad appeared to have a striking resemblance to Frazer Hurst, a volunteer for Mr Wilson's election campaign.
Mr Hurst has appeared in several photos and videos on Mr Wilson's social media, including footage of him door-knocking homes and handing out pamphlets alongside fellow Young Liberal volunteers.
According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Hurst is a politics student at Monash University who has been a duty manager at Coles Brighton since March 2024.
The profile makes no mention of any work experience in construction or trade, however it states he has volunteered for the Liberal Party since 2020.
A former assistant minister, Mr Wilson served two terms as the federal MP for Goldstein in south-east Melbourne before he lost the seat to teal independent Zoe Daniel at the 2022 election.
A Facebook account under the name Frazer Hurst has previously waded into the comments of Ms Daniel's social media, the Guardian reported.
A campaign ad shows federal candidate Tim Wilson vowing to fight for home ownership while engaged in conversation with a young tradie
The tradesman in the ad bores a striking resemblance to Frazer Hurst, a volunteer for Mr Wilson's election campaign
'Independence has failed Goldstein,' it said in the now-deleted comments.
'Crime is rampant, antisemitism is out of control, our community is divided and fractured. The blue tsunami is coming, Zoe.'
Mr Wilson's recent campaign ad gained traction online after viewers pointed out the tradie's hi vis vest and hardhat were in unusually pristine condition.
'That vest is mighty shiny, it looks almost fresh off the shelf,' one joked.
Another asked: 'In the whole of Goldstein, Tim Wilson could not find one Liberal supporting tradie?'
Many viewers drew reference to a similar scandal in 2016 when the Liberals were accused of featuring a 'fake tradie' in a campaign ad.
In the ad, Sydney metalworker Andrew MacRae raised concerns about then Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's treatment of mining companies, banks and property investors.
Viewers at the time claimed Mr MacRae was a paid actor, pointing out his expensive jewellery and improper safety gear.
Frazer Hurst's LinkedIn account makes no mention of any work experience in construction or trade
At the time, Daily Mail Australia spoke with Mr MacRae, who willingly produced his government contractor licence to prove he was a qualified tradesman.
Six years later, then Victorian Liberal deputy leader David Southwick was caught out using party staffers in ads during the 2022 state election.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Tim Wilson, Frazer Hurst and the Liberal Party for comment.
A spokesperson from Ms Daniel's campiagn declined to comment.
The Australian Electoral Commission said there are no laws around the use of volunteers or campaign workers as extras in political advertising.
'This isn't something that is regulated by the AEC. We are responsible for ensuring that electoral communication is correctly authorised,' a spokesperson said.
Federal Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel (pictured) hopes to hold onto the seat against the man she ousted in 2022
The Goldstein electorate was held by the Liberals for almost four decades before Mr Wilson was ousted at the last election.
He was recently pre-elected as the Liberal candidate to run against Ms Daniel a second time in an attempt to win back his seat.
A former ABC journalist, Ms Daniel is a 'teal' independent, whose campaign promised climate action and support for a federal integrity commission.
Polling released late last month showed Mr Wilson ahead of Ms Daniel 54-46 on a two-party-preferred basis.
The estimates, published by JWS Research, represent a sizeable swing from the 52.9-47.1 result which sent Ms Daniel to Canberra in 2022.
