Political parties, unlike the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), are not bound by the Privacy Act, allowing them to collect personal data without informing voters or ensuring its deletion.

AEC commissioner Jeff Pope has urged voters to be cautious about sharing personal information, emphasizing that while the AEC prioritizes privacy, political parties may not.

The AEC has acknowledged that while it is legal for parties to distribute postal vote applications, there are ongoing concerns regarding voter privacy and data management.

Liberal candidate Katie Mullins recently shared a social media video directing voters to her party's data collection site for postal ballots.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Party defended this practice, asserting that it aims to keep voters informed and has been a common approach in previous elections.

The AEC recommends that Australians vote in person on election day or at early polling stations available in the two weeks leading up to the election.

Both major parties have utilized similar data harvesting tactics in past elections, including during the 2022 campaign.

Australians are being cautioned against using postal vote applications sent by political candidates or parties for the upcoming election, as these pose significant privacy risks.

The party-operated websites do not provide any additional benefits compared to applying directly through the AEC, which is recommended for better privacy.

For those unable to vote in person, the AEC advises applying directly for a postal vote through its official website, a process that is quick and ensures better privacy protection.

Political parties often send these postal vote applications via SMS or mail, sometimes imitating AEC branding, which can mislead voters.

Former Labor strategist Megan Lane pointed out that voters are not obligated to register personal information with political parties to vote early.