Kevin Hogan denies knowing his 2010 federal election campaign involved staffer on state government payroll

The Northern Rivers Echo 22 September 2011:

The Echo understands that while Mrs Palmer was employed in Mr Cansdell's office she was instructed to work on The Nationals federal candidate Kevin Hogan's unsuccessful campaign for the seat of Page.

Mr Hogan confirmed that Mrs Palmer had worked on his campaign, but he said he thought she was a National Party volunteer and had no idea she was on the state government's pay roll.

"We had 35-40 volunteers working over in our campaign offices in Page, in Lismore, Grafton, Ballina and Casino, with the rosters organised by local branches, and I understood they were all volunteer workers," Mr Hogan said. "I was taken quite by surprise when the Herald called me. It was certainly my understanding that they were all volunteers.

"I met her (Mrs Palmer) in the Grafton office and thanked her for helping out... On a personal note, I quite like Steve, he's a nice guy who did a good job, but he did what he did, and the response was appropriate. A statutory declaration is a statutory declaration," Mr Hogan said.

More allegations are surfacing of improper behaviour by Mr Cansdell and his office.