of 2
Click here to share on Facebook.
UPDATE 1.35pm: A SENATOR who backed a union boss over the Craig Thomson fraud scandal has been targeted in a chemical scare.
Members of the critical incident response team converged on the Sydney Rd, Coburg, electorate office of ALP Federal Senator David Feeney this morning following the discovery of a suspicious white powder.
Police have since confirmed the white powder was found to be “non suspicious’’ but would not confirm reports that it was icing sugar.
Earlier, two officers dressed in orange jumpsuits from the police chemical biological response unit examined a small mound of white powder on the doorstep, while about 10 uniformed officers arrived at the scene soon after 9.30am, some carrying breathing apparatus.
A spokeswoman for Senator Feeney confirmed the white powder was found this morning at the offices at 240 Sydney Rd.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Senator Feeney, who is overseas, told the heraldsun.com.au the incident “was unpleasant for me and my staff, and I think the Victorian Police are handling it professionally”.
The Victorian Senator – who is closely aligned with Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson – would not speculate on whether the incident was linked to last week’s attack on Ms Jackson in which a dirt-encrusted shovel was left on the doorstep of her Melbourne home, which she believed was aimed at intimidating her.
It is not known if the discovery of the powder is linked to the controversy surrounding Federal Labor MP Craig Thomson, who is the subject of a police probe into the misuse of a union credit card.
Mr Thomson is accused of using a union-provided credit card to pay for prostitutes and withdrawing more than $100,000 in cash advances from the card from 2002 to 2007.
Mr Thomson has denied any wrongdoing, saying someone forged his signature.
Ealier, Moreland Police Inspector Dean McGowan told the Moreland Leader that police had cordoned off the area before the team of forensic specialists arrived.
“We’re containing the scene to make sure no one is exposed if it is anything suspicious.”
The offices have been evacuated, with the offices and footpath cordoned off.
Resident “Mohammed” who has been locked in his premises above the senator’s offices, said the white powder had been spotted earlier this morning.
“Apparently they’re testing the white powder,” he told 3AW radio.
He said he saw the powder soon after arriving.
“There was quite a bit. It looked like flour or something like that.”
Some Labor insiders say Senator Feeney is in what is considered an unwinnable spot on the Victorian Senate ticket and hoped to parachute into a seat being vacated by one of four experienced Victorian MPs.
Senator Feeney was also a key player in helping to bring Ms Gillard to power over Kevin Rudd.
A spokesman for Senator Feeney said he believed Senator Feeney was not at the office and had not been there recently.
with Madeline Healey, Leader Newspapers
The offices of David Feeney in Coburg