Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese has condemned the actions of a Sydney man who used a spam email campaign to discredit Eden-Monaro Labor candidate Kristy McBain.
The Australian Federal Police has charged a 32-year-old Sydney man from Blacktown with using a telecommunications service to menace, harass or cause offence.
The man is accused of sending spam emails, which appeared to be from a legitimate source, to community members and organisations.
"The emails were assessed as offensive and harassing in nature," the AFP said in a statement.
A Sydney man has been charged by the AFP over menacing emails sent to Labor's Kristy McBain in the lead-up to the Eden-Monaro by-election. Source: Australian Federal Police
Mr Albanese says he is glad that the man is being made to face the consequences for his actions.
"There is no doubt that the sort of misinformation that was put into these emails about someone having COVID-19 and withdrawing from the race, and that people weren't able to vote for the Labor candidate because she wasn't running is real concern," he said.
"And I think any misinformation should be dealt with seriously. It is good the AFP have done that."
The AFP commenced its investigation following a report from electoral officials on 10 June.
Police will allege the 32-year-old Sydney man subscribed to telecommunications services using fraudulent documents.
He has been released on bail to appear in court on 2 September.
The Australian Electoral Commission said it had referred the "disinformation emails" to the electoral integrity assurance task force on June 10 and continued to provide evidence to support the investigation.
"The AEC takes this matter, and all electoral integrity matters, very seriously," it said in a statement.
The task force, which includes the AFP, was set up in 2018 for federal by- elections and oversaw the federal election in 2019.
The AEC has been running a social media advertising campaign in Eden-Monaro - branded "Stop and Consider" - reminding voters of the importance of considering the source of electoral information.
Fourteen candidates running in Saturday's by-election in regional New South Wales seat of Eden-Monaro.
The frontrunners are Liberal Fiona Kotvojs and Labor's Kristy McBain, which means the seat is set to have its first ever female MP.
Additional reporting: AAP
