ICAC warns against ’anti-democratic conduct’ as ‘numerous’ reports surface during NT Election

The Territory’s peak corruption watchdog has warned against “anti-democratic conduct” during the election, after receiving “numerous reports” of bad behaviour.

THE Territory’s peak corruption watchdog has warned against “anti-democratic conduct” during the election, after receiving “numerous reports” of bad behaviour.

In a rare public statement, Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ken Fleming QC said he had received multiple reports of alleged conduct that breaches the Electoral Act that range from “trivial to serious”.

Mr Fleming did not point out any examples and an ICAC spokesman said the statement was “general”.

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In the statement, Mr Fleming said the “integrity of an election is fundamental” to the proper functioning of representative democracy and had to be protected.

“I have issued this statement to ensure that the community has confidence that anti-democratic conduct will be detected and dealt with appropriately,” he said.

“I remind the community that the Electoral Act has created offences in respect of individual elections and candidates for election, political parties, corporations, and electoral staff amongst other.”

Mr Fleming then listed a wash list of offences under the Electoral Act, including publishing or distributing campaign material that is likely to mislead or deceive a voter, voting more than once at an election, fraudulently placing a ballot paper or other paper in a ballot box, unlawfully inducing or persuading a person to apply for a postal ballot and improperly influencing the exercise or performance of the Electoral Commissioner’s powers or functions.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro and her team launch their Agriculture Policy for the 2020 election at the Berrimah Export Yards. She is joined by the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and candidate for Fannie Bay Tracey Hayes. Picture: Che Chorley

The statement comes a day after the NT Electoral Commission confirmed it was investigating a possible breach of the Electoral Act by social media trolls who levelled vitriolic abuse at CLP Fannie Bay candidate Tracey Hayes.

“As these posts appear to be posted using an alias they are potentially a breach of this provision. The maximum penalty for breaching this provision is 100 penalty units,” an NTEC spokesman said.

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