Online Threats During Election Battles
The fierce battle for one of Australia’s most marginal electorates has taken a sinister turn, with an online threat against one candidate posted after his rival had his car burgled.
Sitting MP in the seat of Swan, Liberal Steve Irons yesterday reported an apparent internet threat against him to the Australian Federal Police.
The threat came in the form of a photo of his South Perth house, in which he lives with his young son, posted on photo-sharing site Flickr along with the caption: “Steve Irons - Feral Member for Swan. It’s best not to antagonise the most vulnerable, they may take real action against you.”
Mr Irons said the italicised words “real action” in the photo - a Liberal campaign slogan - constituted the threat and hoped the AFP could get the picture removed and identify whoever posted it.
“It’s a real concern given I live there with my son,” he said.
He was unsure why someone would post the photo and threat.
“Maybe it was something I might have said at some time, I’m really not sure. Going by the wording it could be someone form a minority group or something. But it won’t deter me from campaigning.”
Meanwhile, Mr Hammond woke on Sunday morning to find his vehicle - emblazoned with his name, party signage, and with trailer in tow - had been broken into outside his South Perth home. The driver side window had been smashed.
But fears of a political conspiracy were eased after the burglar left the only remotely politically-sensitive material in the car - a couple of maps outlining where Mr Hammond intended to doorknock - and even left an iPod and cash untouched.
Instead, the thief took the GPS system from the former high-profile asbestos litigation lawyer’s car.
In a close-run contest time off the beat translates to votes lost, so haste was of the essence.
“I managed to get it all back up and running on the same day,” Mr Hammond said.
“I’ve been working too hard for too long to let it stop me. I’m just surprised nothing else was taken.”
Both men say the race is too close to call.
“I’ve been getting really good feedback and it has been really positive,” Mr Irons said.
“We’ve had John Howard, Tony Abbott here, but I’m the underdog. I think most Australians are pretty civil about it all. If they won’t vote for me, they’re pretty polite about it.”