Fiona Phillips says Ms Sudmalis “should just resign”. She also wants to know what has become of her party’s Medicare-related material.

Ms Sudmalis reportedly told a Coalition party room meeting in Canberra on Monday that she had won a booth in her marginal electorate because one of her supporters had taken the Labor material and stashed it in a car boot.    

The incumbent claimed the comment related to an anecdote, based on a polling booth observation conveyed to her.

The supporter’s actions, which were referred to NSW Police and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), have now prompted a push for Ms Sudmalis to call time on her role as Gilmore MP.

“I just think she’s, to be quite honest, either incompetent or … I just don’t think she’s fit for the role,” Mrs Phillips told the Mercury.

Ms Sudmalis issued a four-sentence statement “regarding the hearsay reporting about the fake Medicare cards and possible removal by a booth worker”.

“Let me make it clear that at no stage have I ever tampered with another party’s election material, nor would I ever do so,” she said.

The AEC said on Tuesday: “the allegations referred to do not raise any prima facie breach of the requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act”.  

The battle for Gilmore remains a close contest, despite Mrs Phillips conceding defeat on July 7.

Late on Wednesday, 1477 votes separated the Labor candidate and Ms Sudmalis on a two candidate preferred basis.