Posts circulating on social media have falsely claimed that former opposition leader Peter Dutton is pursuing legal action against Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an international court, alleging vote-buying related to the recent national elections. These assertions have been categorically rejected by both Dutton’s Liberal Party and legal experts who emphasize that such a case would lack jurisdiction in international law.
The misleading posts, which appeared on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, suggest that Dutton accused Albanese of paying parliamentarians for votes and making unfulfillable promises to achieve a significant electoral victory. The claims emerged following the federal elections held in May, where Albanese’s Labor Party secured an outright majority, while Dutton lost his seat, marking a historic defeat for an opposition leader.
Legal Experts Clarify Jurisdictional Limitations
Dutton’s party has publicly stated that the allegations are “obviously false.” Legal analysts have pointed out that neither the International Court of Justice (ICJ) nor the International Criminal Court (ICC) would have any jurisdiction to address the issues raised in these claims. According to Richard Garnett, an expert in international legal arbitration at the University of Melbourne Law School, the ICJ only adjudicates disputes between states, not individuals. “For example, if Australia and France had a dispute, that could be heard in the International Court of Justice, but they don’t deal with cases involving individuals,” Garnett explained.
Similarly, Natalie Klein, an associate dean at the University of New South Wales Sydney’s Faculty of Law & Justice, reinforced that Dutton could not bring such a claim at the ICJ. The court’s information department confirmed that “individuals cannot be parties to cases before the Court,” further invalidating the rumors circulating online.
Garnett also noted that the ICC deals exclusively with serious international crimes such as war crimes and genocide, stating, “So it’s more than disinformation. It’s completely absurd, complete nonsense.” Klein added that she was unaware of any Australians currently indicted before the ICC, highlighting the baseless nature of the claims.
Debunking Misinformation
On December 10, the ICC confirmed to AFP that “no such case exists before the International Criminal Court,” reiterating the lack of validity in the allegations against Albanese. The false claims had previously been addressed by AAP Factcheck, which debunked the misleading narratives surrounding the election.
These posts not only misrepresent the political landscape but also contribute to a growing trend of misinformation surrounding Australian politics. The dissemination of such falsehoods raises concerns about the integrity of public discourse and the potential implications for democratic processes.
As the political climate continues to evolve in Australia, the importance of verifying information becomes increasingly critical. Both Dutton’s Liberal Party and legal experts have urged the public to be cautious about accepting unfounded claims, especially those that can sway public opinion or undermine trust in political institutions.
