The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has issued a letter to Belinda Gread, a satirical Liberal candidate for the Senate in Victoria, warning them that they are potentially breaching the Electoral Act by impersonating a Liberal candidate. 

The letter, seen by Crikey, says that the “AEC writes to bring section 329(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to your attention”, and quotes the provisions of the act, which refer to misleading or deceptive publications. 

“The corflutes [seen in videos posted by Gread] purport to be authorised by the Liberal Party of Australia and state that Belinda Gread is a ‘Liberal candidate for the Senate’. The corflutes also include the Liberal Party’s logo.

“The AEC considers these corflutes could potentially mislead or deceive electors in relation to the casting of their vote … this is because an elector who views these corflutes could be misled to believe that the name ‘Belinda Gread’ will be printed as a Liberal candidate on the Senate ballot paper for Victoria.”

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Gread has been forced to rebrand as an independent following communications from the AEC. Image: Instagram

The AEC told Crikey that while Gread’s posts would “be clearly understood by many as satire, it is reasonable to expect that some may not have this clarity”. 

“Satire is a common part of political discourse in Australia. However, it is important that it does not have the potential to genuinely mislead voters about the act of casting a vote,” a spokesperson said.

The AEC said that its investigation was a result of the posts being “highlighted by members of the public”. 

Following receipt of the letter, Gread’s branding — which mimicked the Liberal Party alongside its policies and slogans, as well as political conservatives in general — shifted to that of a pro-nuclear, anti-woke independent. 

Gread’s character is played by barber and drag queen Nic Bedford, whose name is on Gread’s modified satirical authorisations. Bedford previously formed as part of Melbourne-based drag troupe “The Beastie Girls”. 

A mock how-to-vote card that preferences the Libertarian Party second and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party third, reads: “Authorised by N. Bedford, GO! Nuclear, Melbourne. This image is for satirical purposes only and is not supposed to be used as a guide.”

When contacted by Crikey, Gread said their “blood has always run blue. Whether [the Liberal Party] want to admit that I was a part of their selection or not, is a question for them. If Peter [Dutton] wants to turn his back on this fiercely opinionated woman, then that just proves what type of a man he is.”

“I will never back down from standing up for myself, and if I have to run as an independent, then so be it!”

Asked whether they had been contacted by the Liberal Party, Gread said: “I’ve been in contact with a few of the lovely ladies from the Liberal Party since I left the party — it’s been a really hard time to be abandoned by those who you gave the most to.

“Ro Knox, Rachel Westaway and Steph Hunt have all reached out and been really lovely — there have been accusations that I [was] never even a part of the party to begin with but these ladies have all supported me through what has happened.

“I suspect Nicolle Flint from Adelaide might be behind my undoing — I’ve tried to reach out to her to see why she was so obviously offended but I haven’t heard back. I wish her well.”

Should the AEC leave Belinda Gread alone?

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