Understanding the Legality of "Trumpet of Patriots" Spam Texts: Why You're Receiving Them and What You Can Do

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If you have been receiving text messages from the Trumpet of Patriots party — despite never signing up to a mailing list — you are not alone.

In the , many voters have been sent an influx of text messages listing the party’s key policies and linking to a promotional video.

“Solve housing fast trains 20 min CBD cheaper land. Super for deposit 3% interest, cut immigration by 80%,” one message reads.

“Double fees for foreign students. Free education for Australians. Forgive loans Vote1 Trumpet of Patriots,” another says.

The messages are authorised by Trumpet of Patriots candidate Harold Fong, and have sparked criticism and anger among recipients, with many questioning whether this type of campaigning is legal.

Is it legal for political parties to send spam texts?

Yes, it is legal for political parties to send you unsolicited text messages.

ACMA (the Australian Communications and Media Authority) regulates spam text messages in Australia under the Spam Act 2003.

Under the Spam Act, anybody who plans to send marketing messages or emails must have consent from the person who will receive them. The messages must always identify the sender, contain the sender’s contact details, and make it easy to unsubscribe.

But political parties are exempt from the Spam Act and the Do Not Call Register, meaning they are allowed to send unsolicited text messages without an opt-out option.

Can you unsubscribe from political text messages?

The messages being sent by the Trumpet of Patriots do not include an opt-out option, meaning you cannot unsubscribe.

Many recipients have tried responding to the text with requests to stop the messages, but these replies fail to send.

Screenshot of a text message from Trumpet of Patriots

Recipients cannot reply to the Trumpet of Patriots texts. Source: SBS News

Some have tried blocking the number, but this is not guaranteed to work because the messages are not coming from a real phone number.

How did Trumpet of Patriots get my number?

The Australian Electoral Commission told SBS it does not supply political parties with voters’ mobile phone numbers.

Political parties may have accessed mobile phone numbers through a marketing agency, which could have obtained your number through online databases. Parties or marketing agencies might also use random number generators when sending out bulk messages, so receiving them can be by chance.

SBS News has contacted the Trumpet of Patriots party for comment.

What is the Trumpet of Patriots party?

The Trumpet of Patriots party is run by mining magnate , who previously ran the United Australia Party.

According to the party’s website, the Trumpet of Patriots is focused on “democracy, individual freedoms, free speech, reducing government intrusion in our lives, breaking the duopoly, real choice and real liberty”.

The party’s policies include launching an investigation into government spending, cutting immigration, establishing high-speed rail networks, exiting the Paris Agreement, getting the ‘woke agenda’ out of schools, and exiting the World Health Organization, United Nations and World Economic Forum.

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