Greens Gilmore candidate Carmel McCallum has come out firing at Nationals candidate Katrina Hodgkinson for her links to lobbying firm Barton Deakin.
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"Is it ethical to run for federal parliament when you are on leave from a lobbyist position?" she said via a press statement on Wednesday.
I'm not a lobbyist, that's not the work I do
- Nationals candidate for Gilmore Katrina Hodgkinson
Last week it was revealed publicly Ms Hodgkinson was still on the company's payroll.
She is listed as a director of corporate counsel on the Canberra-based firm's website, and has been on formal leave for the duration of the election campaign.
Mrs McCallum pointed out the firm represents Norwegian oil giant Equinor, a company in pursuit of an exploration licence to drill for oil off the coast of South Australia in the Great Australian Bight.
Ms Hodgkinson said she didn't have "anything to do with" Equinor.
However, if elected as the member for Gilmore, Ms Hodgkinson said she wouldn't rule out the prospect of offshore drilling.
"I'd have to sit down and think about who it was [seeking a licence], and take an independent perspective on that," she said.
Ms McCallum has condemned Ms Hodgkinson's perspective on the fossil fuel industry.
"This is unethical in the era of climate change," she said.
"We are seeing both Liberals and Nationals acting against both our national interest, and international efforts to limit global warming.
"The Greens have clear anti-corruption policy which will stamp out the parliamentarian-lobbyist merry-go-round."
Ms Hodgkinson said campaigns should focus on policy rather than the "personal".
"She's tried to raise it at a candidate's debate and got shut down pretty quickly by the moderator," she said.
"Personal attacks are not welcome at this time, respect should come first.
"I'm not a lobbyist, that's not the work I do. You have to work somewhere, the work I do is not lobbying, that's not my focus, there are many different roles within the organisation."