Victorian Parties Use Deepfakes in Election Campaign
Major political parties in Victoria are deploying AI-generated videos to attack opponents, sparking calls for truth in political advertising laws to ban unauthorized deepfakes.
Political campaigns in Victoria have escalated into a battle of AI-generated content, with major parties using deepfakes to smear opponents. The Victorian Labor Party released a video depicting Liberal leader Jess Wilson claiming she supports Americanised healthcare. Wilson denied the claim, stating that "in no way, shape or form are we Americanising the healthcare system here in Victoria" and condemned the video as a desperate smear campaign.
Premier Ben Carroll defended the use of the video, asserting that Wilson had previously expressed views that would make Victorians "terrified" and claiming that "Jess Wilson herself has said there is nothing wrong with Americanising our health system."
In retaliation, the Liberal Party deployed AI content showing Premier Carroll asleep at his desk. Other groups, including One Nation and the lobby group Advance Australia Fair, have also used AI-generated media, including a fabricated video of a Labor victory on election night. These developments led the Greens and Transparency International Australia to demand truth in political advertising laws. They are advocating for a ban on unauthorized deepfakes and mandatory AI watermarking, citing similar legislation in South Australia as a model to protect democratic trust.
