How Brisbane-based LNP staffer pinched Albanese’s web address
The Liberal National Party has begun pre-election dirty tricks with the purchase of a web address which bears the federal Labor leader’s name.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (AAP Image/Darren England)
The web domain albanese.com.au is registered to a “Sam Jackson” from the LNP.
When the address is entered into a web browser, the user is taken to the website liberal.org.au – the official site of the Liberal Party.
Comment was being sought from Jackson, who is listed on LinkedIn as a “political adviser” based in Brisbane.
It appears to be a case of “cybersquatting”, which is the use of internet domain names that are identical or similar to personal names.
An LNP campaign spokesman told AAP the site name was acquired appropriately.
“We’re glad to see the domain name has been promoted so heavily which has helped to spread the message about the Morrison government’s achievements,” the spokesman said.
“The domain name was acquired appropriately and it’s a matter for Mr Albanese to answer why he hadn’t registered this domain if he wanted to use it.”
