ECQ powerless to take action on Labor’s ‘devil’ posts

A controversial Labor-certified social media page that’s attacked David Crisafulli and labelled past premier Campbell Newman with the ECQ powerless to take action.

Queensland Labor has setup an Instagram page called MilesHQ to attack LNP leader David Crisafulli and his connection to Campbell Newman in the lead-up to this years State Election Picture Instagram MilesHQ

The Electoral Commission of Queensland is powerless to take action against a Labor social media account attacking Opposition Leader David Crisafulli that labels Campbell Newman the “devil”.

The authorised Queensland Labor account criticises Mr Crisafulli, likens him to Donald Trump and focuses on his use of an “inner-city mansion”

Mr Newman has threatened legal and LNP integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson labelled it “desperate and juvenile”.

Premier Steven Miles has distanced himself from the page, declaring questions about its content were matters “for the Labor Party”.

“And having seen some of the remarks from Fiona Simpson this morning, I’d suggest you should have a look at the LNP’s page,” he said.

Queensland Labor has setup an Instagram page called MilesHQ to attack LNP leader David Crisafulli in the lead-up to this years State Election Picture Instagram MilesHQ

He also denied having seen the post comparing Mr Newman to the “devil”.

Mr Miles indicated the lowbrow content was not comparable to an earlier AI deepfake video created by the LNP that depicted him dancing.

“Well, the point I was trying to make at that time was that we’ve all been trained to believe what we see in video, and if a political party is willing to use AI and do fake technology to make fake videos, then you have to question everything,” he said.

Mr Miles said it was his responsibility as a politician and a leader to be present on social media.

“Many members of the community use social media, and that’s why I’m posting Instagram,” he said.

Queensland’s Electoral Act makes it an offence to “print, publish, distribute or broadcast anything that is intended or likely to mislead an elector in relation to the way of voting at the election”.

However, way of voting refers to publications or statements which may cause someone to cast an informal vote or vote using a method they are not eligible for.

“This offence applies during the election period, which commences the day after the Writ is issued,” an ECQ spokeswoman said.

During the period it is an offence to “knowingly publish a false statement of fact regarding the personal character or conduct of the candidate”.

Queensland Labor has setup an Instagram page called MilesHQ to attack LNP leader David Crisafulli in the lead-up to this years State Election Picture Instagram MilesHQ

The Queensland Labor account also claims Mr Crisafulli and the LNP would ban legal abortion, a claim he has denied and the ECQ said was unlikely to fall within its purview.

“Statements about which policies a future government may introduce are unlikely to breach this provision, as a prediction about the future are unlikely to be taken to be as a statement of fact regarding the personal character or conduct of the candidate,” the spokeswoman said.

“ECQ’s message to candidates and parties is to be aware of their obligations and requirements under the Electoral Act.

“We advise all members of the public to stop and consider the information they are viewing before presenting it in the public domain.”