Council election: Georgia Ryburn speaks out after vile smear campaign

Flyers letterbox dropped across Balgowlah, Manly and Clontarf state Ms Ryburn, who is running for the Liberals, was only picked because of an intimate relationship with Manly MP James Griffin. She categorically denies the claim.

The flyer purports to be sent by the Good for Manly team, which deputy mayor Candy Bingham leads in the Manly ward. Cr Bingham vehemently denies the flyers were produced or distributed by her office or party.

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Ms Ryburn, 29, gave birth to her first child Harvey on November 16, and she'd been out of hospital for less than 24 hours when she found out about the campaign against her.

"I was sitting with my husband and family and was feeding him [Harvey] when I found out," she said. "It is discouraging, it's very upsetting."

The content in the flyers is so defamatory that Ms Ryburn is seeking legal advice, the police are investigating and the NSW Electoral Commission has been notified.

Mr Griffin slammed the flyers and the negative impact they had on the community.

"This abhorrent behaviour shows why it is hard to not only get good women, but good people generally, to stand for local government," he said.

"I stand in solidarity with Georgia as our fantastic Liberal candidate, Candy Bingham and each and every female candidate who puts up with this toxic behaviour. Only by continuing to participate will we together send a message that this is not acceptable behaviour, whether in politics or our society."

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Cr Bingham said the flyers were disturbing. "It's seriously defamatory," she said. "It's probably one of the worst cases of gutter politics I've ever seen."

Ms Ryburn, who lives in Balgowlah, is hopeful the campaign against her won't discourage other women from entering politics.

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"It's so vital and important that we have women being representatives within all levels of politics," she said.

"It's important for me to have women representing women on council and these setbacks are disheartening but all I can do is focus on the campaign."

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