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Election volunteers are calling for reforms to make polls safer for candidates and voters, warning harassment and intimidation is rife on the hustings.
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Volunteers who worked on a political campaign in the Melbourne seat of Kooyong, where independent Monique Ryan narrowly held off a challenge by the Liberals, said pre-polling became unsafe due to unsuitable venues, aggressive signage and overcrowding.
The volunteers, of an unspecified candidate due to redactions, also detailed standover tactics and physical and verbal attacks in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 federal election.
“We are concerned that the 2025 election crossed a line from peaceful disagreement to dangerous polarisation,” the submission said.
“Candidates, their volunteers and even voters were mocked, harassed, insulted, threatened, abused and subjected to a range of anti-social behaviours.
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“More importantly, for voters, we fear that Australia’s elections may have crossed a line from friendly competition to targeted and aggressive behaviour, relentless attacks and a sea of misinformation.”
It singled out the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and called for an inquiry into their conduct.
Volunteers from the church, who do not believe in voting, showed up in droves to support Liberal candidates in the lead-up to the May election.
AAP
