Suspected Preference-Harvesting Operation Uncovered in Victorian Election

Four political groups seeking registration for the Victorian state election share the same IP address and similar website infrastructure—raising concerns about coordinated preference manipulation.

The Parties and Their Connections

Refugees Are Welcome Here, Muslim Votes Matter, Free Palestine party, and Save the Environment party—four seemingly independent political groups—are all seeking registration for the upcoming Victorian state election. Domain records analysis by Guardian Australia reveals they share a single IP address, along with strikingly similar design, wording, and infrastructure.

Rightwing activist Avi Yemini claimed credit for the Free Palestine party, while anti-lockdown activist Monica Smit claimed credit for the Save the Environment party. Yemini stated in a video that the groups target different left-leaning voting blocs but will direct preferences to One Nation and other conservative parties.

Expert Analysis

Mark Gregory, RMIT associate professor, called it "highly unusual" for parties to register simultaneously through one provider, suggesting they were likely created by a single individual or contractor.

Hammond Pearce, UNSW cybersecurity senior lecturer, likened the shared infrastructure to "finding a whole load of political flyers from different campaigns in the same person's desk drawer."

Rahat Masood, UNSW senior lecturer, stated that multiple newly registered political entities on the same infrastructure within a short timeframe raises legitimate questions about operational connections.

How the System Works

The websites were created in early May 2025 and ask for 750 members—well above the VEC requirement of 500.

Victoria's upper house uses group voting tickets (GVTs), where voters choose one party above the line and preferences are allocated by the party. This system has long been criticized for enabling manipulation.

Kevin Bonham, political analyst, called the GVT system "not an adequately democratic system" and described these parties as among the "blatant examples" of preference manipulation.

Key Figures Respond

Monica Smit did not confirm creating Refugees Are Welcome Here but said Save the Environment will likely preference One Nation in most regions. She argued the parties highlight flaws in Victoria's group voting ticket (GVT) system.

Avi Yemini claimed the groups harvest votes from different blocs—"climate, hate, migrant votes"—and direct them to conservatives via preference deals.

Chris Crewther, Liberal MP, said Yemini's actions demonstrate "how crazy the current system is and how easily it can be manipulated."

Political Context

The Coalition, Greens, One Nation, and two parliamentary inquiries have all called for the abolition of group voting tickets.

A rival group, "Free Palestine Party Australia", is also seeking registration to block Yemini's use of the name.

The Allan government has until August 2025 to legislate changes before the election.

This report is based on an article by Guardian Australia.