Editor’s note: Audio grabs from AFP Det A/Supt Andrea Coleman available via Hightail
The AFP has charged a West Australian man for allegedly providing false information to the Australian Electoral Commission during the 2022 Federal Election.
The man, 58, was charged as a result of an AFP Operation Wilmot Taskforce investigation launched following a report from the AEC.
The AEC raised concerns the man might have signed false declarations as part of his nomination as a Senate candidate.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Andrea Coleman said police would allege the man falsely declared his financial circumstances, including that he was not an undischarged bankrupt, on nomination forms.
“The AFP will allege the man made a fraudulent claim on nomination forms as part of an attempt to be elected as a senator in the recent Federal Election,” Det A/Superintendent Coleman said.
“The AFP is dedicated to protecting democracy and officers will lay charges if they have evidence that someone committed an offence to mislead the community or gain a benefit.”
Section 44(iii) of the Australian Constitution states that any person who is an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent shall be incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or a member of the House of Representatives.
The man was expected to face Perth Magistrate’s Court on 30 September 2022 charged with:
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