Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and backbencher Gladys Liu have reportedly admitted that controversial Chinese-language posters in their electorates told voters the "correct" way to vote was by numbering 1 next to the Liberal candidate.
Mr Frydenberg and Ms Liu are being challenged over alleged illegal conduct during the election campaign, after the Liberal-authorised signs were displayed at Kooyong and Chisholm polling booths on election day in May.
On Wednesday, The Guardian published extracts of Mr Frydenberg and Ms Liu's filings made in the Federal Court.
Josh Frydenberg and Gladys Liu. Source: AAP
The "nearly identical defences" said the party "intended" the signs to say "to make your vote count put a 1 next to the Liberal candidate", but the translation instead meant "correct way to vote", "correct voting method" or "the right way to vote".
The Chinese-language signs bore a resemblance to the Australian Electoral Commission's official colours of purple and white, had no Liberal identification and did not refer to Liberal candidates by name or policies.
But according to The Guardian, the two MPs challenged the idea that it was "the same colour scheme" instead saying it was "similar".
"Other parties have used purple and white signs on polling booths," the defence reportedly said.
The pair allegedly contended that the Liberal Party's acting Victorian director Simon Frost "did not set out to mislead any voter" with the signs.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg sit next to Liberal MP Gladys Liu. Source: AAP
"Rather, Mr Frost sought to explain to voters who could read Chinese and who were considering voting for the Liberal party how to do so in a valid way, and also to encourage voters who had not yet made up their mind to vote for the Liberal party."
Failed Kooyong candidate Oliver Yates is spearheading the case again Mr Frydenberg, while climate campaigner Leslie Hall is challenging the election of Ms Liu.
On election day, the AEC said it would not take action because the signs were authorised, and there were no rules around colour schemes.
Both electorates are home to large populations of Chinese speaking voters.
Additional reporting: AAP
