‘Vote for Albo’: Father Bob video raises eyebrows
A video of Father Bob Maguire expressing his support for Anthony Albanese has raised eyebrows.
“Don’t bend the elbow, vote for Albo,” he said in the video which has appeared on TikTok.
“Anthony Albanese is in fact the best bet.”
- Scroll down to see the video
Father Maguire runs the Father Bob Maguire Foundation, which provides food relief, social inclusion, educational support.
The video comes after Guide Dogs Victoria chief executive Karen Hayes stood down following her public endorsement of Josh Frydenberg in the seat of Kooyong.
Speaking to Neil Mitchell, commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Gary Johns, said while Father Bob’s comments are “blatantly partisan”, they’re only against the law if he’s speaking on behalf of his charity, not as an individual.
“A charity can’t have a disqualifying purpose, and that has to be a purpose, of supporting or opposing a political candidate,” he said.
“The man has blatantly said vote for one candidate. Is that his charitable purpose? Is he speaking on behalf of the charity?
“It’s not as straightforward as it might seem.”
Mr Johns cautioned while it may be permitted, it’s not in the best interest of those involved in running charities to spruik political candidates.
“If charities step too close to partisan politics they will get burnt because political parties will start to write laws that exclude them. That’s not the case at the moment,” he said.
“If you besmirch your charity by jumping into politics, donors will leave you.”
Press PLAY below to hear Mr Johns weighing on Father Bob’s comments
@poggersmagoo ❤️ #fyp #foryou #auspol #votelabor #albo4pm ♬ original sound – bobo
Image: TikTok