cuchulainn
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Shooters Party?
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/19/1045638360970.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/19/1045638360970.html
Shooters MP says pro-gun website may be sabotage tactic
By Robert Wainwright, State Political Correspondent
February 20 2003
A row over a firearms website registered in the United States has exposed a potential flaw in the Electoral Act that ignores the use of the internet as a tool for dispersing political material during elections.
The website, ShootersUnited .com, opposes tougher gun laws in Australia and calls on visitors to put their name to a email campaign that will blitz politicians and newspapers.
It has angered Shooters Party MP John Tingle, who says it is anonymous and may be a ruse to sabotage his party's election campaign.
He has complained to the NSW Electoral Commission about it only to be told that the internet is not covered by the Electoral Act.
A spokeswoman for the NSW Electoral Commission confirmed yesterday that all material "capable of influencing an election" must be cleared, sourced and authorised after the formal campaign begins. But, unlike more traditional election material such as posters, pamphlets and media advertising, section 151 of the act does not specifically mention use of the internet.
"I guess it's up to the politicians to decide if the law needs to acknowledge the internet but it's such a fluid thing," the spokeswoman said. "I'm not sure how you could tackle it."
The ".com" on the website's address means that it was registered in the US, and Mr Tingle said he could source it only as far as the Hunter Valley mail centre.
He has warned his supporters of the campaign in a email of his own. "The website claims to represent a group of non-party, non-political firearm owners who are fed up with restrictive laws, and who want to have their voices heard," he wrote.
"But the site does not say who those firearm owners are, where they are located or who is financing the site."
Mr Tingle said the organisation began distributing literature about the website at a Sydney gun show two weeks ago. When the Herald logged on yesterday, there had been over 11,900 hits.
The website invites people to download and send one of six emails, including a letter for "junior shooters", which it says will be emailed to 2500 people including politicians, media, and even defence force personnel.
Mr Tingle warned his supporters against signing the letters and revealing their names and addresses to the site's operators.
"This website could be a stunt by our enemies to gather information about legitimate shooters. If it is genuine, let the people behind it come out of hiding," he said.
