Independent candidate Tony Windsor has apologised for suggesting a colleague's Vietnam war experiences contributed to him switching support to Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce in the heated battle for New England.
Kerry Schofield told ABC's 4 Corners this week he had been a longtime champion of Mr Windsor, only to withdraw his support in 2010 when Mr Windsor backed the minority Labor government led by Julia Gillard.
Speaking to ABC Radio yesterday, Mr Windsor, who announced he would be having another tilt at the seat in March, said "the Vietnam War does funny things to people."
"I think the character that was there last night, there's a lot of other reasons for that as well, which I won't get into, but the Vietnam War does funny things to people and, anyway, that's another story," Mr Windsor told Radio National's Fran Kelly.
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Mr Schofield, who served 10 months in Vietnam as an army private in 1970, told 2GB's Ray Hadley that the comment alluded to a breakdown he endured more than 20 years after his service, and that it was a "dog act."
The comment "hit a very raw nerve," Mr Schofield said, as he had recently returned from welcoming home the repatriated remains of 33 Australians killed in the Vietnam War.
Asked if he still trusted the independent MP today, Mr Schofield replied: "Do you trust a dog that bites you?"
In an exclusive interview with The Northern Daily Leader, Mr Windsor said he was sorry if his comment had upset Mr Schofield.
"I didn't mention any individual at all, but it's obviously been construed that I was referring to a person in a television story, and I apologise for any hurt that that has caused," Mr Windsor said.
"I'm upset if it offends anybody because it wasn't meant to be offensive. I was asked a question in relation to a friend who has changed political sides. It's fine to do that, I was just making the point that people have things happen in their lives that have an impact on them," he said.
But the independent candidate rejected suggestions he'd made light of the mental health of the ex-service community.
"Mental illness is a very serious thing", Mr Windsor said, adding that he intended to reach out to Mr Schofield directly.
"I know the man quite well. I've assisted and supported his family and himself over many years."
