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:
- Gave information to a Commonwealth entity, namely the Australian Electoral Commission, knowing that the information was false, contrary to section 137.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for the offence is 12 months’ imprisonment.
The Magistrate issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court.
The Operation Wilmot Taskforce was established in March 2022 to investigate electoral-related crime, including security threats to parliamentarians and candidates. The Taskforce worked closely with state and territory law enforcement agencies.
The taskforce formally assessed 82 complaints and referrals during the 2022 Federal Election period.
Thirty-nine matters were accepted for investigations and 12 remain ongoing.
