Suggested objection to registration of “Free Palestine”

There are two political party registrations currently before the Victorian Electoral Commission that they have opened to ‘objections’ from the public – “Free Palestine” proposed by Avraham (Avi) Yemini which is seeking to harvest votes and send preferences to One Nation, and “Free Palestine Party” which is a legitimate protest party lobbying for the rights of Palestinians.

Victorians can object to the “Free Palestine” registration under the Electoral Act 2002 (Vic): s45 if the application is defective or the party is ineligible; s47 if the proposed name is legally prohibited. Email rppregistration@vec.vic.gov.au by 2 July.

Saying a party’s name disguises its politics may not be enough. Objections must fit the Electoral Act—especially ss45 or 47.

The objection must fit the Electoral Act 2002 (Vic)—principally eligibility, compliance with s45, or the restricted-name provisions in s47. Political dishonesty alone may not satisfy the current statutory test, so objectors should identify evidence of a specific breach rather than merely condemn the preference scheme. Objections close Thursday 2 July 2026 and must be signed and include the objector’s address.

The most credible objection would rely primarily on eligibility and section 45, while asking the VEC to consider whether the circumstances reveal defects in the application:

• Were 500 people knowingly recruited as members of this particular political party?
• Were they told its actual electoral purpose?
• Are any simultaneously members of One Nation or another party?
• Does the constitution reflect the organisation’s genuine aims?
• Are the secretary’s statutory declaration and membership records accurate?
• Who controls the party, selects candidates and determines its preference strategy?

Preference deals themselves are not prohibited merely because another party benefits. The sharper legal issue is whether a seemingly pro-Palestinian organisation has obtained registration through genuine members and accurate representations—or whether the party is essentially a ballot-paper decoy wearing someone else’s political clothes.

The most important addition would be a transcript, screenshot or link establishing exactly what Avi Yemini said.

The Guardian reported Avi Yemeni saying “Imagine they walked into a polling booth and they saw Free Palestine party. It’s genius. I am launching the Free Palestine party and we are going to redistribute, we’re going to flow our preferences on to parties that want to free Palestine from Hamas.”

ABC reported: Mr Yemini cited anti-vaccine campaigner Monica Smit’s “clever idea” to establish a political party called Save the Environment, which he said could attract voters with a “leftist worldview” and “redistribute their votes back to conservative parties”. “It inspired me and got me thinking: what is the one issue that unites all useful idiots from the far-left, to the fringe right, to certain immigrant cultures that have imported their hate? Free Palestine,” Mr Yemini said.

Suggested objection to the registration of “Free Palestine” in Victoria

I object to the proposed registration of the “Free Palestine” on the grounds that it may not satisfy the definition of an eligible political party and that its application may not comply with section 45 of the Electoral Act 2002.

Public statements attributed to people associated with the proposed party reportedly describe its purpose as attracting votes and directing preferences to One Nation. These statements appear materially different from the political purpose that an ordinary person would infer from the name “Free Palestine”.

I request that the Victorian Electoral Commission verify:

1. that at least 500 nominated members knowingly and voluntarily joined this particular political party;
2. that those members were informed of the party’s actual aims, political affiliations and intended electoral role;
3. that none of the nominated members is also a member of One Nation, another registered political party or another party applying for registration;
4. that every nominated member was admitted in accordance with the party’s constitution and membership rules;
5. that the written constitution accurately reflects the genuine aims and activities of the organisation rather than merely satisfying a formal registration requirement; and
6. that the statutory declaration and all membership information supplied with the application are complete and accurate.

I also ask the Commission to consider any documentary evidence and public statements concerning whether the proposed party is a genuine political organisation pursuing its declared aims or a vehicle established principally to attract voters under a potentially misleading political identity and transfer preferences to an unrelated party.

I recognise that section 47 primarily concerns names that duplicate, resemble or falsely suggest a relationship with another recognised political party. Nevertheless, I ask the Commission to consider whether the proposed name, logo or presentation falsely suggests an organisational or political identity that is inconsistent with the party’s actual control, affiliations or purpose.

Please treat this submission as an objection under sections 45, 47 and 49 of the Electoral Act 2002.

This is the press release from the VEC … Application for registration by Free Palestine

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has received an application from Free Palestine for registration as a political party. The application is signed by the secretary of the party and includes the following proposed particulars:

Proposed logo:

Name of proposed registered officer: Avraham Yemini

Objections to the proposed registration must be submitted to the VEC in writing no later than Thursday 2 July 2026. Valid reasons for objection include:

• the party is not an eligible political party as defined under the Electoral Act 2002 (the Act)
• application is not in accordance with the requirements of section 45 of the Act
• the proposed name should be refused under section 47 of the Act.

Objections can be made to rppregistration@vec.vic.gov.au or posted to the VEC, Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.

Objections must be signed and include the objector’s address. Details of any objections will be made available to the applicant. 

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