Turnbull Wentworth survey asks inappropriate voting intention question

26 October 2009

The opposition leader is currently conducting a survey of his constituents. Once you have weighed through the greetings, the obligatory photo of Bondi and various survey questions you are asked which political party you support.

The intent is clear. Mr Turnbull is using this survey to build an information profile on his constituents. Wentworth voters need to be aware that Mr Turnbull's will be able to use the information from his survey to set up a sophisticated electioneering database.

On the back panel of the six-page colour survey voters are asked for their name and address and then beneath it in a section headed 'OPTIONAL' requests information on voting intentions. It is highly inappropriate for candidates to ask local residents which party they support. That sort of information is confidential and many people feel the question is an invasion of privacy.

Reputable pollsters would make an effort to ensure anonymity of voters and not utilise information about the voting intentions of identified individuals for other purposes.

The survey design means that Mr Turnbull will have the name and address details of all those who complete the survey and return it. Electioneering communications use this type of survey data to adapt emails and letters to meet voters' interests.

The data collected will provide a goldmine for the Liberals in Wentworth.

At no stage does the survey set out how the collected information about areas of interest and voting intentions will be used.

The information gathered can be used to influence swinging voters with targeted messages designed to garner a vote for Mr Turnbull.

Mr Turnbull's poor showing in recent polls could have prompted the opposition leader to resort to this style of campaigning. In his letter to constituents he states that the survey is so he can 'represent you in parliament and work on your behalf'.

It really is about the re-elect Turnbull campaign.