BREAKING: The head of Guide Dogs Victoria has resigned from the charity amid an investigation into her appearance on Liberal Party election pamphlets during the federal election campaign. | rachael_dexter
Karen Hayes has resigned amid a probe into why she appeared to endorse former treasurer Josh Frydenberg in KooyongUnder Australian law, charities risk losing registration for promoting a political candidate.during the federal election campaign.
“Time and time again, Josh has shown his genuine care for Guide Dogs Victoria and the people with low vision and blindness we serve,” the flyer quoted Hayes as saying. Hayes also featured in a now-deleted video posted on Frydenberg’s Facebook page endorsing the treasurer. When the endorsements emerged during the campaign, the Guide Dogs Victoria board said it had no prior knowledge of Hayes appearing in Frydenberg’s authorised campaign material and did not endorse it.
Acting chief executive Iain Edwards said Guide Dogs Victoria was “absolutely committed to its important work as a charitable apolitical organisation in line with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission regulations”.“Karen leaves a great legacy of modernising the organisation and having a genuine commitment to supporting Victorians with low vision or blindness to live full and independent lives,” he said.