A Nationals MP has slammed the "spineless keyboard warriors" behind the social media group 'Anyone but Nats', labeling one of their recent posts as "gutless and desperate".
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Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders came out swinging on Thursday morning when the 'Anyone but Nats' Facebook page posted several screen shots of articles highlighting funding announcements from the NSW government, as well as a picture of one of his daughter's social media accounts.
It highlighted that state government funds were directed towards Maverick Bioscience, where Mr Saunder's wife works, and the Dubbo Golf Club, where his daughter is employed.
Mr Saunders said he was appalled by the attacks directed at members of his family.
"The allegations made on the Facebook page of a fringe political propaganda group this morning are pathetic and gutless, and I wholeheartedly reject any assertion made by the spineless keyboard warriors who have posted it," Mr Saunders said.
Funding for the Dubbo Golf Club was announced in January 2019 and Mr Saunders was elected in his current position in March of the same year.
"The money the Dubbo Golf Club received to host the NSW Women's Open was announced before I was elected as the Member for the Dubbo electorate and well before my teenage daughter began casual work at that particular venue."
Mr Saunders also said it was not his decision to give funding to Maverick Bioscience.
"Similarly, any funding which has been received by Maverick Bioscience was determined by a government department based on criteria designed to create new jobs and support regional NSW," he said
Mr Saunders feels his family should not have to endure the criticism of his job.
"I'm extremely proud to be the elected Member for the Dubbo electorate and deliver for this incredible community, and I understand that with that I can sometimes be exposed to public criticism. I accept that as part of my job. However, I do not accept that for my family," he said
"As a husband and a father I am deeply offended by the public commentary about my wife and daughter from this political propaganda group, which hides behind fake accounts and refuses to take accountability for their statements.
"This is one of the most gutless and desperate uses of social media that I have seen."
Mr Saunders said he had referred the post to his legal team.
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