Millions of Aussies rage about ‘annoying’ election strategy bombarding their phones: ‘How do I stop this junk?’

By MAX ALDRED FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 12:28 BST, 24 April 2025 | Updated: 13:16 BST, 24 April 2025

Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party has been blasted for sending ‘annoying’ texts to millions of Aussies ahead of the May 3 election.

The unsolicited messages were sent en masse on Thursday and featured a link to the political party’s website. 

‘Solve housing fast trains 20 minute CBD. Super for deposit 3% interest, cut immigration by 80%,’ the texts read. 

‘Auth by H Fong Trumpet of Patriots.’

Aussies were quick to take to social media to slam the ‘invasive’ election campaign tactic.

‘I am getting political messages from Trumpet of Patriots group by text. I can’t reply or block, only delete. How do I stop this junk?’ one woman fumed. 

Another added: ‘Where did they get my number from? Gross invasion of privacy,’ another said. 

A third wrote: ‘Has there ever been a party with a more ridiculous name and ideologies than the Trumpet of Patriots? Such a waste of money and time.’

Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party has come under fire for ‘annoying’ SMS ads. He’s pictured with party leader Suellen Wrightson

‘How do I stop this junk?’ one woman asked after reading a message from Clive Palmer’s party

Some recipients took aim at the grammar and the party’s only sitting representative, Senator Ralph Babet. 

‘I’m getting texts from Trumpet of Patriots and the grammar is horrendous. That tells me that Babet is writing them himself,’ they wrote.

Another added: ‘Wow. Seems Trumpet of Patriots have an actual chimpanzee writing their unsolicited text messages.’

‘What did I just read, did a child write this?’ a third asked. 

Others reported the messages as spam while one man replied ‘f*** off’ to the text. 

Some questioned the legality of the messages. 

‘Gross – spam texts from the Trumpet of Patriots party. How is this legal to mass spam people?’ she asked. 

The Australian Electoral Commission confirmed the party is permitted to send text messages.

The party, led by Suellen Wrightson (pictured) runs on a promise of ‘commonsense policies for all Australians’

‘It is legal,’ an AEC spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘Political parties are exempt from the Spam Act and the Do Not Call Register. 

‘The AEC does not supply phone numbers to parties and doesn’t know where they get that information from.

‘Text messages do need to be authorised so that people know the source of the messages. That can occur in a website that the message links to though. 

‘Regarding the content – as always, it’s the voters job to stop and consider what they hear, see or read this election.’

Mr Palmer has already spent millions to advertise his party on online platforms, television, and billboards across Australia – including in some of the nation’s safest seats. 

Despite Mr Palmer’s relative lack of success in recent years, he has refused to back down from politics. 

‘I could join many Australians and play lawn bowls, right?’ the 70-year-old told the National Press Club earlier this year. 

‘I find this more exciting, talking to you, than playing lawn bowls.’ 

Mr Palmer’s yellow and black Trumpet party replaced the United Australia Party, promising ‘commonsense policies for all Australians’. 

Daily Mail Australia has approached Trumpet of Patriots for comment. 

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Millions of Aussies rage about ‘annoying’ election strategy bombarding their phones: ‘How do I stop this junk?’

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