‘Phone spamming’ Howard
SYDNEY: Prime Minister John Howard came under fire yesterday for using unsolicited US-style telephone marketing, dubbed “phone spam,” to try to gain an edge in Australia's closely-fought Oct 9 election.
Voters in marginal electorates have answered the phone in recent days to hear a recorded message from Howard urging support for his conservative Liberal-National coalition.
“Hello, this is John Howard. I've taken the unusual step in contacting you with this recorded message to support your local Liberal candidate,” the message says.
The opposition Labor Party lodged a complaint with the Australian Electoral Commission, claiming the telephone messages contravened election laws because they did not contain the authorisation necessary for political advertisements.
The opposition community services spokesman said Howard's adoption of intrusive US-style campaign tactics was “bizarre, and a little bit desperate.” – AFP
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