Independent candidate Jessie Price has raised concerns over “potentially misleading” how-to-vote cards distributed by the Labor party on election day in the contested seat of Bean, Australian Capital Territory. Price, who is challenging the sitting Labor MP David Smith, alleges that Labor handed out green flyers instead of their customary red ones, suggesting that Greens voters should rank the ALP as their second preference, contrary to the official Greens Party recommendation to place ALP third.
Price stated that reports have indicated these misleading flyers were circulated at various booths throughout the Bean electorate. She emphasised the importance of integrity in government, a value echoed by the residents during her campaign. The incorporation of such misleading tactics, she argues, could disillusion voters from the major parties.
To address this issue, Price has lodged a formal complaint with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), asserting that the flyers may violate Section 329 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act, which forbids misleading or deceptive materials regarding the voting process. She highlighted that, regardless of the election’s outcome, her prime concern is to ensure that voters receive accurate information.
Alongside her statement, Price shared an image of the disputed how-to-vote cards, which instructed: “Voting Greens? Vote 2 Labor and then number every square.” The AEC has confirmed that they are currently investigating the matter.
As the election results unfold, it remains unclear who will ultimately secure the seat. As of the latest count, Price was slightly ahead with 50.1% of the vote compared to Smith’s 49.9%, with approximately 85% of votes counted. If Price manages to win, it would signify a substantial swing of 13.1% against Labor.