The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) announced today it is investigating the distribution of nearly 50,000 illegal pamphlets targeting independent MP Allegra Spender ahead of next week’s federal election.
The AEC reported that over 47,000 leaflets opposing Spender, the member for Wentworth, were sent out without proper authorisation. These pamphlets also failed to mention any information as to who created them in the first place.
AEC investigates misleading pamphlets ahead of next week’s election
“The Australian Electoral Commission has received complaints regarding the distribution of an unauthorised pamphlet opposing the member for Wentworth,” the AEC said in a statement.
“These pamphlets lack any form of authorisation, meaning that voters have no way of identifying the source of the communication. The AEC takes these matters very seriously and has acted quickly to make contact with the entity responsible for these pamphlets.”
The AEC added that those involved in any major capacity with the pamphlets could face legal action, including civil penalties.
MP Allegra Spender calls out campaign as “unlawful smear”
Spender welcomed the AEC’s investigation, calling the pamphlets part of a “negative and unlawful smear campaign.”
“These pamphlets spread false, misleading, and offensive claims about me and does so anonymously,” Spender said. “This campaign is designed to undermine me and benefit my political opponents. I call on all my political opponents to condemn this sort of behaviour.”
Allegra Spender, who claimed the Wentworth seat in 2022, also pointed to the broader political context.
I have faith that the AEC will get to the bottom of this.
The public deserves to know who is behind this cowardly attack and what their motivations are.
This transparency needs to be provided urgently, because Australians will begin casting their ballots tomorrow.— Allegra Spender (@spenderallegra) April 21, 2025
“These campaigns are clearly designed to ensure a Liberal MP is elected in Wentworth,” she stated. However, she stopped short of directly blaming Liberal candidate Ro Knox or the Liberal Party for the pamphlets.
It is important to note that there is no evidence linking Knox or the Liberal Party to the illegal campaign materials.
Wentworth, traditionally a Liberal stronghold, was claimed by Spender when she defeated former Liberal MP Dave Sharma.
According to 9News, while the seat is officially considered ultra-marginal with a narrow 0.58% margin, analysts suggest that Spender’s actual lead could be as much as 6-9%, offering her a more secure position going into this election.
With the election swiftly approaching, the campaign has become increasingly contentious. Last week, dozens of Spender’s campaign corflutes were reported as being torn down, while some posters promoting her Liberal opponent, Knox, were also vandalised.
With early voting for the federal election beginning tomorrow, the Wentworth race is expected to be one of the most closely watched in Sydney.
