Australian Politics

Last Week They Crashed George Brandis' Email. Now They Want You To Vote For Bill Shorten To Host Big Brother

By New Matilda

March 08, 2015

Last week, Beyond Green – an activist group focused predominantly on climate change – crashed the email of George Brandis, after urging people to courtesy copy all of their emails direct to the Attorney General, rather than force him to snoop via spying agencies.

The protest was in response to laws set to pass parliament in the coming weeks which give the government unprecedented access to information about what your look at on the internet.

The campaign was stunningly successful – with the help of widespread media coverage, Brandis’ email was quickly crashed. The stunt has even forced Apple to relook at its iMessage program, after one punter began sending texts directly to the AG’s phone upon discovering that Brandis had linked his iMessage to his email account.

This week, Beyond Green have turned their attention to Opposition leader Bill Shorten, a man who they describe as the “perfect host” for Channel 9’s popular show Big Brother, because he has a skillset that includes experience in encouraging people to “knife each other in the back”.

“Bill Shorten, we'd love you to be the host of Big Brother this year. We want you to monitor the movements and communications of willing contestants, not the rest of us who do not have a choice. Channel Nine, please hire him before he actually becomes Big Brother,” states Beyond Green on their website.

They urge followers to sign a petition and support a Twitter hastag – #bigbrotherbill – and they publish Shorten’s phone number and email address  – “You can email him on Bill.Shorten.MP@aph.gov.au or give him a call on (02) 6277 4022.”

“Currently, Bill wants to join creepy people like ‘Curious George’ Brandis in monitoring our movements and communications. BUT if he gets this hosting gig he could just monitor the willing contestants, rather than the rest of us who don't have a choice.”

“Please tell Bill on Facebook or Twitter why he should be the 2015 host. You can email him on Bill.Shorten.MP@aph.gov.au or give him a call on (02) 6277 4022.

Beyond Green also urges supporters to nominate themselves for the Big Brother house, and to “film a creative and/or very mundane short video” and send it to them.

You can find out more about their activism here.

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