Shorten Questions Foreign Forces After Bannon Claims He Helped Sink Labors 2019 Election
Former opposition leader wants answers after Steve Bannon purportedly claims credit for 60 million dollar Palmer ad campaign
Text messages released by the US Department of Justice as part of the Jeffrey Epstein document dump show Bannon, the American far-right political strategist, purportedly claiming he had influenced Australian billionaire Clive Palmers advertising strategy.
Shorten, who led Labor to an unexpected defeat in the 2019 election, said the revelation would be a badge of honour for him if true, suggesting it confirms Labor was fighting against more than just domestic opponents.
Palmer has denied any coordination with Bannon. His United Australia Party spent approximately 60 million dollars on advertising during the campaign—an unprecedented sum that many analysts credit with helping shift voter sentiment against Labor.
The revelation emerges as Australias parliament returns for its first sitting of 2026, with both major parties navigating internal tensions ahead of the upcoming federal election.
Analysis
Why This Matters
Foreign interference in elections remains a sensitive topic globally. Evidence that a prominent US political operative influenced Australian campaign spending raises significant questions.
Background
The 2019 election saw Labor lose despite leading in polls throughout the campaign. Palmers advertising was widely viewed as damaging to Labor even though his own party won minimal votes.
Key Perspectives
Palmer denies any coordination with Bannon. Shorten suggests the revelation confirms suspicions about external forces working against Labor.
What to Watch
Whether Australian authorities investigate the claims, and any response from Bannon or Palmer to the published texts.