Source : Perth Now news
One Nation’s Redcliffe candidate has pleaded guilty to electoral fraud after lodging a state election funding claim containing false and misleading information.
Simon Salloum, 57, a small business owner, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday for sentencing.
Salloum, who runs Simon’s Fruit and Vegetables in Redcliffe, had sought $6554.44 in election funding for the 2024 state election when he received 7.5 per cent of the vote.
The court was told that the claim included invoices that had been altered to inflate the amount requested.
Instead of claiming the $2500 he had actually paid for campaign materials through his party, Salloum submitted false documents to support the larger claim.
Prosecutor J.A. Kapeleris told the court that Salloum knowingly submitted a claim far higher than the amount he had actually spent.
The court was told that when questioned, Salloum continued to insist the claim was legitimate.
The Electoral Commission later contacted Dingo Print, the company that supplied the materials, which confirmed it had only received $2500.
Mr Kapeleris said it was clear Salloum knew the larger amount had not been paid, yet he pursued the claim, despite the purpose of taxpayer-funded election funding being to reimburse legitimate campaign expenses; not “to collect a windfall”.
Salloum’s solicitor told the court that her client had been unable to gain employment following a series of unsuccessful surgeries and heavy medication use.
He had turned to running his small fruit and vegetable business, often donating to local charities.
“This was a bad decision. He is disappointed with himself,” she said.
Magistrate Mark Whitbread acknowledged Salloum’s public service and remorse, noting his actions were out of character.
“You put your hand up, admirably so, to try to represent your community as a candidate in the 2024 election,” Mr Whitbread said.
“Unfortunately, after that election, you failed in regard to the integrity aspect because you attempted to claim money you were not entitled to. Then you made things worse by providing documents which were in fact false. That is fraudulent and dishonest.”
Mr Whitbread also recognised Salloum’s contributions, describing him as a “clearly useful member” of the community.
He was fined $3000, with an additional $1500 in costs payable to the Electoral Commission of Queensland.
No conviction was recorded.
