The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has taken legal action against a person who, according to him, was responsible for distributing unauthorized pamphlets aimed at the independent Allegra spender of De Blauwe Planning prior to the Federal Elections of May.
The AEC claims that around 47,000 pamphlets that are spread over the eastern Sydney electorate of Wentworth, no form of authorization message or the identification of information, which is said to have violated the Commonwealth Electoral Act.
“The democracy of Australia is rightly considered world leader, and central to that integrity is the opportunity for every voter to know the source of election advertising through authorization messages,” said election commissioner Jeff Pope in a statement.
“The AEC takes matters that relate to the full absence of authorization information and the widespread spread very seriously.”
The case was submitted to the federal court. If the person is found guilty, they can be confronted for every infringement of up to $ 39,600.
“This anonymous and misleading campaign is designed to undermine me and to benefit my political opponents,” said Spender, one of the green independent people who was first chosen in 2022.
The formulation at the bottom of each pamphlet said it was “produced by the people of Wentworth for the people of Wentworth”, but did not succeed in giving a name or address.
It also contained an image of spender with the words “” Allegra spender exhibited “.
The AEC started investigating the pamphlets in April, after several complaints when early mood for the federal elections began.
It was able to identify the individual that has no ties with political parties or candidates, and to stop the distribution of further copies of the unauthorized material.
Spender, who was re -elected with a swing to her in Wentworth, said that the unauthorized pamphlets were part of a campaign of “dirty tricks”.
In a statement on Friday, Spender said: “It is vital for our democracy that we prevent the distribution of anonymous wrong information that tries to influence voters, and that is an important responsibility of the independent Australian electoral committee.”
“Like most Australians, I have faith in the integrity of the AEC and our legal system, and the court will leave to decide this issue.”
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