LNP Fadden by-election mail-out slammed as ‘sneaky’ by rival

The LNP has been accused of a ‘sneaky’ trick in mail-outs to Fadden voters. Here’s what the issue is.

The LNP has been accused of being “sneaky” and “lacking respect for voters” after a mail-out from Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton collecting postal vote applications for the Fadden by-election.

However the Australian Electoral Commission says the practice is perfectly legal, while the LNP says it is a “standard part” of elections.

Thousands of locals received the letter from Mr Dutton in an envelope bearing the words “Fadden by-election important voting information”.

The letter encouraged voters to register by entering details into a website controlled by the LNP, or returning a form in a pre-paid envelope to a ‘PVA Centre’ at a PO Box address used by the party.

The envelope sent to Fadden voters with the LNP’s election material inside.

Independent candidate for Fadden Stewart Brooker took issue with the mail-out, saying it was “sneaky” and “doesn’t pass the pub test”.

“This is obviously a data mining exercise to benefit the LNP and not voters,” Mr Brooker said.

“The fact that the reply-paid envelope goes to a LNP address makes me question the reasons for this mailout.

“People (could be) under the impression that the envelope goes directly to the AEC but it doesn’t, it goes to party headquarters.

“I just can’t see any way that it would benefit the voter. It seems to benefit the party doing it, not the voter.

“If the LNP were genuine that would have promoted the AEC official site.”

The post paid envelope included in the mail-out to be used to return postal voting application forms.

Concerns have been raised about similar mail-outs by major political parties at the 2022 Federal election and 2016 elections for Brisbane City Council.

However an LNP spokesperson stood by the practice.

“Providing electors with postal vote applications is a standard part of Australian elections,” the spokesperson told the Bulletin.

Peter Dutton’s letter to voters included in the mail-out.

“The accompanying letter from Peter Dutton outlined that this by-election is an opportunity to send Labor a message – on rising living costs, Labor’s new taxes on super, and on local crime.”

An AEC spokesperson told the Bulletin that while their “strong preference” was for people to apply for postal votes directly through the Commission, the LNP mail-out did not breach any rules.

“It is legal for political parties to distribute postal vote applications and it has been a common practice for many elections,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that postal vote applications “were required to be forwarded to the AEC swiftly for processing”, while the LNP’s mail-out appeared to be appropriately authorised.

The Fadden by-election takes place on July 15. Nominations close on June 22.

In addition to Mr Brooker, candidates announced so far include Cr Cameron Caldwell for the LNP, Letitia Del Fabbro for Labor, Sandy Roach for One Nation and independents Kevin Young and Belinda Jones.

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