The New South Wales branch of the Liberal party has referred itself to the state’s election watchdog and is expelling about a half a dozen senior party members following an internal investigation into an allegedly “elaborate and complex” branch-stacking system.
The alleged branch-stacking operation is understood to have included more than 100 members, and involved people being signed up to the party and given fake email addresses in a process that may have been used to influence key votes on policy and preselections.
A party spokesperson on Friday said it will take swift action against those involved, and has handed its findings to the electoral commission.
“The NSW Liberal party became aware of an attempt to circumvent party rules regarding branch membership through the use of an elaborate and complex system of imitation domain names,” the spokesperson said.
“After carrying out an extensive investigation, the party is taking disciplinary action against a number of our members.
“The party has also referred its findings to the NSW Electoral Commission.”
The revelations come just three months out from the state election, where the premier, Dominic Perrottet, will seek a fourth term for the Coalition government.
Teal-style independents are already lining up to try to win inner-city seats from the Coalition, and will be campaigning heavily on integrity in politics.
The alleged branch-stacking scheme that saw dozens of members signed up and given fake email addresses in a process that could have been used to improperly influence votes was first revealed by the Sydney Morning Herald in August.
Guardian Australia understands the Liberal party investigation found serious issues in a number of local government areas, including in Sydney’s west and south.
The Liberal party spokesperson said the party takes governance “seriously” and would not tolerate conduct uncovered in its investigation.
“As these matters have been referred to the NSW Electoral Commission, we are unable to make any further comments,” the spokesperson said.
