Sethian Free Speech... or Bribery?

[pErvinalia]

An electrical services company has been accused of attempting to bribe its workers to vote Liberal, with a promise of $100 if the Coalition wins on Saturday.

Western Sydney-based HMP Electrical has been referred to the Australian Electoral Commission after a worker took exception to an apparent inducement to vote Liberal.

A text message sent to staff, obtained by Fairfax Media, said: “Hi Guys – As you may or may not be aware, the federal election is on Saturday, 7th of September 2013. Eddie has asked me to remind you to VOTE and to let you know that if the Liberal Government win you will all receive a $100 GIFT as employees of HMP Electrical Services. Aren't we lucky to live in a democratic country! Kindest regards, Nesska (for Eddie)”

The Eddie referred to is HMP owner Edmond Hajar, who runs the Northmead-based business comprising some 20 employees.
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The Electrical Trades Union took a complaint to the Electoral Commission on Friday after receiving legal advice that the offer of $100 could constitute a bribe under section 326 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The union's secretary, Steve Butler, said in a letter to Commissioner Ed Killesteyn: "Given the serious nature of these allegations and their potential to influence the way in which recipients may vote, I respectfully refer this matter to you and seek that a full investigation be conducted in order to determine whether the Commonwealth Act ... has been breached."

Correspondence from the commission has confirmed it is investigating the message to staff and is seeking more information from the company. A spokesman for the commission declined to comment.

The ETU claims Mr Hajar's company has a poor track record with how it treats staff. The union recently recovered $4000 in underpaid wages on behalf of one former worker.

Mr Hajar declined to comment when contacted by Fairfax Media.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/ ... z2dncyY5xq

[Svartalf]

Hey, I'm open to being bribed, but at least put the price.
Also, I won't take responsibility for a majority voting different from what I was bribed to... pay first, then let's see how it goes, all I'll do is show my voter's ID with the stamp to show I was there.

[JimC]

They're certain to get their $100...

[Svartalf]

If that were certain, why bribe them in the first place?

[Seth]

Well fuck, if you don't want them voting Liberal, then offer them a hundred and fifty quid to vote your way.

Pretty soon we'll have a robust market going for vote-buying and people will make back some of the money they pay to the big corporations and political fat-cats.

Of course in a Libertarian society, there won't be much voting anyway, because voting implies majority rule, which violates Libertarian principals from the get-go.

[JimC]

If that were certain, why bribe them in the first place?

My mention of certainty is simply that the Liberals are going to win this election...

[Svartalf]

Izzat the incumbents or the other side?

[JimC]

Izzat the incumbents or the other side?

It's the evil opposition. The incumbent Labour Party have their heart in approximately the right place, except for being incompetent morons... They will lose in a landslide, and Oz shall lurch to the right...

[Svartalf]

Oh, THAT kind of liberals

[JimC]

Oh, THAT kind of liberals

Ours make the Tories look a little pink...

[klr]

The Electrical Trades Union took a complaint to the Electoral Commission on Friday after receiving legal advice that the offer of $100 could constitute a bribe under section 326 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

Could? I assume that's just a sop to "due process". Looks pretty blatant to me.

[JimC]

The Electrical Trades Union took a complaint to the Electoral Commission on Friday after receiving legal advice that the offer of $100 could constitute a bribe under section 326 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

Could? I assume that's just a sop to "due process". Looks pretty blatant to me.

However, the money wasn't contingent on them voting for the Liberals (no proof possible in any case), simply the Liberals winning, which is pretty much a foregone conclusion...

It will be explained as a bonus given by employers happy that the party that supports rapacious capitalism has saved them from evil marxists, and they wish to share their joy with their employees...

[klr]

I very much doubt that line of argument will save them. After all, there's probably no way an employee could prove who they voted for, so the next best thing is to go by the overall result.

[JimC]

I very much doubt that line of argument will save them. After all, there's probably no way an employee could prove who they voted for, so the next best thing is to go by the overall result.

Yes, it will be interesting to see what happens...

[Audley Strange]

I don't how it's much different from a politician saying vote for us and we'll clean your kitchen twice a week, fluff your dogs and give you a tax cut.