Liberal Party calls for bribery probe after Labor’s advertising ploy

The opposition is calling for the Labor Party to be probed for bribery after an advertising ploy offered gift cards to fill out a survey spruiking Dan Andrews.

The Victorian ALP should be investigated for bribery over an advertising ploy offering $5 gift cards to fill out a survey spruiking Daniel Andrews, the state opposition says.

Victoria’s election watchdog is making inquiries into an alleged trick advertising ploy by Labor after the Herald Sun revealed swinging voters were being offered a $5 gift card to complete an online survey that forced participants to watch a video spruiking Daniel Andrews and lambasting Opposition Leader Matthew Guy.

The survey is being probed by the VEC amid concerns it carries unauthorised political advertising.

Potentially thousands of voters have been sent letters across key electorates, including Mornington, Caulfield, Sunbury and Bendigo.

Labor sources said the survey was sent to test messages and themes and denied it included political advertising.

But Opposition spokeswoman for Scrutiny of Government, Louise Staley, accused the party of cheating electoral laws.

She said it could leave the party open to charges of bribery because of its unsigned and unauthorised political propaganda letter.

Opposition spokeswoman for Scrutiny of Government Louise Staley accused the party of cheating electoral laws. Picture: Sarah Matray

“The propaganda raises serious questions about the probity of the ALP and their campaign,” she said.

“Why was this letter not authorised or signed; what will the information gathered be used for; who will retain the data it collects; why didn’t Labor disclose it was their letter if it wasn’t set out to deceive?

“Labor only admitted ownership of the letter after it was exposed.

“It calls into doubt the integrity of not only the ALP campaign, but Daniel Andrews himself ...”

A letter to sent to voters asking them to participate.

Under the electoral act a person must not ask for, receive or obtain any property or benefit of any kind on an understanding that the person’s election conduct will be in any manner influenced or affected.

Ms Staley said the letter and survey with the link to a video was clearly designed to influence a person’s vote.

She accused Labor of deliberately deceiving voters.

But Environment minister Lily D’Ambrosio said she was “very confident” of Labor’s campaign management.

The survey is being reviewed by the VEC’s Electoral Integrity and Regulation team.

A question included in the survey.

The survey and video carries no authorisation.

Those who complete the survey are offered a $5 reward.

“I’m sure that the Victorian Electoral Commission will do what it does, (what) it’s charged to do independently,” she said.

“But I’m fairly confident — very confident — of the way the Labor Party’s campaign has been managed.

“But I’ll really leave that to the VEC, I think that’s important for them to do their jobs.”

The matter is being reviewed by the VEC’s Electoral Integrity and Regulation team.

The VEC has been asked to investigate potential misuse of electoral roll data, privacy breaches and electoral authorisation offences.

A VEC spokeswoman refused to comment on the specific investigation.

“Any complaint received is assessed for any allegations of offences against the Electoral Act,” she said.

Any potential offences are referred to the commissions Electoral Compliance Team for investigation.