ATTORNEY General Simon Corbell has hit back at Liberal senate candidate Zed Seselja for labelling Canberra Liberals petitioners as “disaffected rumps.”

At Question Time in the Legislative Assembly today, Mr Corbell said he had recently received two complaints from petitioners launching action against the Canberra Liberals for a possible breach of process.

Both complaints have been referred to the Office of Regulatory Services for investigation.

“I suppose they were just ‘disaffected rumps’,” Mr Corbell quipped, referring to a quote from Mr Seselja earlier this week.

“It’s amazing that a party which prides itself on openness and democracy has these kinds of complaints.”

Mr Corbell said one of the complainants, a Canberra Liberals member who has since resigned from the party, had met with the ORS “early this week.”

The complaint related to a request to inspect ACT Liberal Party records.

Mr Corbell said the ORS were also dealing with another complaint, “looking into the circumstances surrounding a possible breach of process.”

“I’m encouraged that the appropriate steps and action will be taken.”

But Canberra Liberals MLA Brendan Smyth accused Mr Corbell of “abusing the code of conduct”.

“Ministers must not use their position to gain a direct or indirect advantage themselves,” he said.

Mr Corbell waved off Mr Smyth’s suggestion as a “frivolous and silly comment”.

“The code of conduct refers to financial or other material benefit… exactly what is Mr Smyth suggesting?” he said.

The complaints surround a pre-selection battle between Mr Seselja and incumbent senator Gary Humphries.

Brendan Smyth, Simon Corbell