NRMA distances itself from ‘NRMAA’ robotext

THE State’s peak motoring body has distanced itself from a robotext appearing to endorse a controversial former mayor in the Central Coast Council election.

Doug Eaton’s political career looks dead after he struggled to attract many votes in the council election.

THE State’s peak motoring body has distanced itself from a Mediscare-style robotext appearing to endorse controversial former Wyong Mayor Doug Eaton in the Central Coast Council election.

The text from “NRMAA” (note the extra ‘A’) says, “For a funded plan for better local roads Vote EATON. To opt-out message STOP to 6145801430.”

However, when the Express Advocate and several others tried to respond to the number it was “disconnected”. The text was received by most people between 8.45am and 9.30am on Saturday.

Doug Eaton, who was awarded an OAM in 2015.

The robotext from “NRMAA”.

Mr Eaton has not responded to questions about the election-day robotext stunt. He is running as an independent candidate in the Wyong ward after the NSW Liberal Party overlooked him in a nasty preselection battle.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said the motoring group had made a complaint about the robotext to the NSW Electoral Commission.

“We have been advised that some voters in NSW may have received a robotext this morning that the ‘NRMAA’ is endorsing candidates in today’s local council elections,” Mr Khoury said in a statement.

Not happy: NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury.

“This is not to be confused with the NRMA. We are an independent organisation and do not endorse political candidates.”

The Express Advocate has been contacted by many residents who have blasted the “desperate” tactic.

“When I first got the message I thought to myself, ‘why is the NRMA contacting me?’” Jeremy Hurst said.

“It was only on closer inspection that I realised it said ‘NRMAA’. I wasn’t sure how they got my number, or why they were using the name NRMAA.”

Mr Hurst said he questioned Mr Eaton at a polling booth about whether he approved of the text.

“When I finally got a hold of Doug, he said he left his marketing up to a marketing company which he claimed was called ‘National Retail Marketers Association of Australia’, a Google search of which does not return any results.

Doug Eaton’s big election billboard on the Pacific Highway at Ourimbah was vandalised last month.

“To me, this is similar to Mediscare in that they’re using a well-known and trusted name (NRMA) and are then referring to ‘roads’ which the NRMA are often associated with.

“When I spoke to Doug, he said he too received the message; however he said he left his marketing for the campaign up to the marketing company, supposedly NRMAA. When I asked how they got my number he said he didn’t know, and that NRMAA probably wouldn’t know either.

“When I asked whether he approved this message to be sent, he didn’t deny it, but suggested he wasn’t aware it was to be sent, to whom, when or how.”

The Express Advocate ran an ASIC company/organisation search for the National Retail Marketers Association of Australia and it came up with no listings.

Sidonie Anne said she also received the robotext endorsing Mr Eaton.

Former Wyong mayor Doug Eaton outside The Art House in Wyong. Pic: AAP Image/Troy Snook

“I never authorised my number to be released and particularly not for Eaton’s benefit,” she said. “I do not live in his (Wyong) ward and certainly would not vote for him.”

John Pastor said the listed number in the text was disconnected.

“Hmmm,” he said. “Also Mr Eaton had 25 years to fix the roads. How come they still need fixing? Please explain.”

Wendy Baxter said she was “not impressed” about receiving the text, while Benn Moore was initially convinced it was the NRMA endorsing Mr Eaton.

“But when opening the message I discovered it was the unethical Eaton trying to gain votes,” Mr Moore said.

Mr Eaton spent 25 years in local government before he was booted out with other Coast councillors in the council amalgamation between Wyong and Gosford on May 12 last year.

He pushed hard for a $500 million ‘Chinese Disneyland’ to open in Warnervale. But after a five-year battle, the project’s backers couldn’t stump up the $10 million to buy 15.7ha of land on Sparks Rd.

Former Wyong Mayor with backers of the Chinese theme park.

A spokesman for the NSW Electoral Commission thanked the Express Advocate for “bringing this to our attention”.

“Allegations or other matters which are brought to the NSWEC’s attention are considered in accordance with the NSWEC’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy,” a spokesman said.

“After undergoing preliminary review and assessment, a matter may be referred for formal investigation.

“The NSWEC does not comment on whether it is or is not conducting an investigation.”