PM rapped for 'phone spam'

2004-10-06 20:41

Sydney - Prime Minister John Howard came under fire on Wednesday for using unsolicited US-style telephone marketing, dubbed "phone spam", to try to gain an edge in Australia's closely-fought October 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 Labour 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 spokesperson said Howard's adoption of intrusive US-style campaign tactics was "unwelcome, bizarre, and a little bit desperate".

Opposition leader Mark Latham said he would be taking his telephone off the hook to avoid Howard's messages.

"He really shouldn't be trying to scare the kids at this part of the campaign," Latham joked.

Howard said the telephone calls were a legitimate way to get his message across.

"I've thought about it and concluded it was a proper and sensible and modern thing to do," he told ABC television, admitting "many people will appreciate it, others won't".

- AFP