This week we reflect on one of the most visible and annoying features of the recently concluded federal election campaign - the incessant spam from political parties.

We break down the various exemptions and carve-outs that make it legal for political parties to collect information about voters and spam us without consent.

While the premise of the exemptions is to preserve the freedom of political communication in the name of democracy, we explore how the practice might be subverting our democratic ideals.

Links:

Article explaining how political parties can legally spam voters (ABC News) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-29/political-parties-can-send-you-texts/105226350

Article breaking down Trumpet of Patriots spam campaign (SBS News) https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/trumpet-of-patriots-texts/vsqj4l75x

Article about "H Fong" the man behind Trumpet of Patriots spam campaign (SBS News) https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/01/who-is-h-fong-harry-trumpet-of-patriots-sms-text-messages-federal-election-ntwnfb

Crikey for PM campaign (Crikey - Paywalled) https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/04/28/spam-texts-election-clive-palmer-trumpet-of-patriots-monique-ryan-privacy-act-crikey-for-pm/

Article about political parties' postal vote application texts (ABC News) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-31/aec-warns-of-unsolicited-postal-vote-texts/105116220

Credits:

Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) ⁠www.eastcoaststudio.com.au⁠

Music by Bensound.com