Kamal Ghorui
An Indian-origin Labor MP has accused the Liverpool mayor of doxxing her, as police were called to a tense polling booth clash during a heated by-election campaign.Charishma Kaliyanda said her safety had been put at risk after her home address was shared in a social media post linked to a local political dispute.“I am aware that the Mayor published a social media post last night that publicised my home address,” Kaliyanda said, as reported by Australia Today.“Having my home address published by a political opponent is completely unacceptable. This is not just a political tactic, it is doxxing and potential criminal conduct.”She warned that the incident had serious implications beyond politics: “It puts my safety and the safety of those around me at serious risk… no one should feel unsafe in their own home because of their work in public service.”According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the post was shared by Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun and later shared by many, including by Liberal councillor and south ward candidate Richard Ammoun.Mannoun later deleted the original video and uploaded a revised version with sensitive details removed. Responding to the backlash, he said, “I’m sorry that a publicly available document was published.”The row comes as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Liverpool City Council by-election. Tensions spilled over at a pre-polling station at the Casula Community Centre, where police were called following a verbal altercation between candidates.Independent candidate Jamal Daoud said the dispute escalated after he was questioned over claims relating to council matters. Ammoun denied wrongdoing and said he was addressing misinformation.Kaliyanda condemned the conduct, saying, “This behaviour crosses a clear line. It is dangerous, unacceptable and unworthy of public office.”New South Wales Police attended the scene after being contacted by an electoral worker but later described the incident as a civil matter, with no further action taken.The by-election was triggered by the resignation of deputy mayor Betty Green earlier this year, with tens of thousands of residents expected to vote.
