Prime Minister Albanese said he was not surprised to learn of
allegations that a pro-Russian website has been attempting to “launder” propaganda on Australian topics in the lead-up to the federal election.
A Saturday report by Australian national broadcaster ABC showed that
website Pravda Australia – part of the global pro-Kremlin Pravda Network
– has increased its output significantly since mid-March in an attempt
to “poison” AI chatbots and spread “Russian narratives”.
“[Russia] engages in all sorts of activity. They harbour criminal organisations that engage in that,” Albanese told ABC.
“It’s not surprising that they would reach out and attack myself personally, given the strength that we’ve shown in standing up to them,”
he added.