[ad_1]
A man has copped a massive $45,000 fine for distributing unauthorised pamphlets targeting Independent MP Allegra Spender – in what has been called one of the “clearest” breaches of electoral laws in years.
The Federal Court on Thursday ordered Wentworth resident Jarrod Davis to pay a $30,000 penalty following legal proceedings that lasted more than six months.
In addition to the whopping $30,000 fine, Mr Davis was ordered to pay the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) $15,000 in legal costs.
In the lead up to the 2025 elections, Mr Davis distributed about 47,000 anonymous pamphlets throughout the Wentworth electorate, at the time held by Ms Spender.
The pamphlets that targeted Ms Allegra lacked a legally required authorisation statement and their distribution directly breached Australian electoral laws, the AEC said in a statement.
Ms Spender said the pamphlets spread “false, misleading and offensive” claims against her.
“This anonymous and misleading campaign is designed to undermine me and to benefit my political opponents,” she said in a statement.
Despite the pamphlets expressing strong opposition to Ms Spender, the AEC confirmed there was no evidence to link Mr Davis to any rival political party or candidate that was contesting her seat at the time.
Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope described it as one of the “clearest” breaches of the country’s electoral laws that the Commission had seen in some time.
“Australian voters have a right to know the source of campaign material at a federal election, and today’s result reinforces this expectation as a fundamental aspect of electoral law,” he said.
[ad_2]
