“May I recommend for your careful consideration the application of Mr Ken Aldred for nomination for the forthcoming Victorian state election.” It’s with these words that David Jull seals his nomination for dodgy reference of 2005. Jull, a former admin services minister and current parliamentary committee heavyweight, was a former Liberal colleague of Aldred during his eclectic stint in federal parliament; so he must know what he’s getting himself into.

Aldred was a prolific seat-swapper in his time: he represented Henty from 1975 to 1980, Bruce from 1983 to 1990 and Deakin from 1990 to 1996. In the words of Queenslander Jull, Aldred spent 17 years as “an effective and highly active local member.”

And now he wants a fourth bite of the cherry, this time in the Victorian parliament. He’s one of seven candidates for what should be a fruity pre-selection contest this month for the lower house seat of Gembrook.

Outside the rarified atmosphere of political references, Aldred was known as a world class conspiracy theorist best remembered for using parliamentary privilege to smear a long line of perceived spooks and evil-doers.