Posted on 03/02/2016 6:05:11 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
THE Australian Labor Party has launched an internal investigation after claims paid election staff sent to work on the presidential campaign may have breached US law.
Four ALP election staff were sent to America last month and paid $60 per day to observe and work on the campaign for Democrat candidate Bernie Sanders.
Under US law foreign volunteers cannot be paid or receive any benefits, however three volunteers have been caught on camera admitting they received a daily allowance, flights and accommodation form the Labor Party.
ALP National Secretary George Wright denied the party had broken any laws but a full investigation would be carried out.
"Our belief is that it is compliant with all the regulations and laws. I will initiate an investigation to make sure it is,'' Mr Wright said.
In relation to the footage showing one volunteer destroying other candidates' campaign signs, Mr Wright said the ''behaviour seemed to be completely unacceptable.''
A spokesman for Bill Shorten said the opposition leader had called for a full scale probe into the scandal.
"This is a matter for the Labor Party,'' he said.
"The opposition Leader's office has asked George Wright to fully investigate what happened and review whether it's appropriate to continue to take part in the program.''
Footage of the ALP staffers was aired on the American undercover journalism website Project Veritas Action.
One Australian man -- who the Sunday Herald Sun has chosen not to name -- can be seen attempting to steal a Donald Trump election sign in New Hampshire.
The video also suggests the Australian ALP staff member pulled down advertising for fellow Democrat Party candidate Hillary Clinton.
On film he freely admits tampering with election signs is illegal but says if he is caught by police he would say he didn't know and stealing signs was an Australian hobby.
Defacing political advertising can reportedly result in a $1000 fine in America.
The 13 minute video shows another female volunteer admitting she was receiving an allowance and other benefits from the ALP
"They paid for our flights. They paid for the cost of accommodation, which is just the staff accommodation, and we also get a $60 to spend per day,'' she said.
A third volunteer said he received accommodation and flights as part of the five week exchange program.
The ALP helpers said they were told not to post anything on social media as their presence in America on an allowance would not be viewed favourably in Australia.
Yeah, it's viewed unfavorably in this hemisphere, too. ALP would be wise to pull its volunteers back now, lest misfortune befall them.
Legal niceties? Democrats? Cannot be used in the same sentence.
He’s also receiving campaign donations from foreigners via reddit.
Just like his predecessor.
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