Australian flags fly at half-mast atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a sign of respect for those killed in the Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash
The Australian government is set to hold talks with Facebook, Google and YouTube to discuss ways to stop ISIS propaganda from spreading. Australia is concerned with the growing number of citizens lured by ISIS to join the group and fight. IN PHOTO: An Australian national flag and a New South Wales state flag (top) fly at half-mast atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge on July 19, 2014, as a sign of respect for those killed in the Malaysia Airlines passenger jetliner MH17 that crashed over eastern Ukraine. REUTERS/David Gray

In an unprecedented move, Australia's Liberal Party federal director, Brian Loughnane, launched an online campaign to support New Zealand's National Party led by John Key. The online appeal urged Kiwis settled in Australia to help in reelecting John Key's National government. Australia is home to 640,000 New Zealanders and they constitute a sizable force in the country's electorate, reported 3 News.

Loughnane launched the online campaign and called up fellow Australians to encourage their New Zealand friends in Australia to canvass vote for the National Party. Loughnane in his message said if the supporters of National living abroad are not mobilised there is a risk of Labour party cobbling up a coalition with the Greens and other minor parties. Loughnane explained the rationale of support to National as a tribute to the leadership of John Key who took New Zealand in the right direction.

But this over enthusiasm has been criticised by Australian National University Professor John Wanna. He said it looked like a strange intervention in the affairs of another country's political process. The professor told NZ Newswire that the protocol has been to stay away from the politics and policies of other countries.

Key Asked To Explain

Back home, the Australian support snowballed into an embarrassment for Mr. Key. The campaign spokesperson of Labour Party, Annette King, called for an explanation from Mr. John Key to know why Australia's Liberal Party is interfering with New Zealand's domestic politics and trying to lobby voters in favour of National that too before a few days ahead of the election date.

The Labour spokesperson also noted that the email signed by Brian Loughnane had the Liberal Party's letterhead and it looked as if jointly arranged by Liberal and New Zealand National. It was more than a coincidence that the Liberal Party Director happened to be the husband of Prime Minister Tony Abbott's Chief of Staff.

The spokesperson said the campaign from Australia for John Key clearly showed deep coordination at the highest levels between the two parties. The Labour spokesperson also asked Mr. Key to explain his position as he had been talking too much about foreign influence in the election campaign. With the Australia centred campaign, Key has been caught for the use of mailing lists of overseas political parties to garner votes.