Theguardian iconTheguardianSep 5, 2026

Alarming AI ads are flooding social media in the lead-up to Victoria’s election. But who is behind them?

A woman gives birth on the side of the road, unable to reach a hospital due to ambulance ramping and crater-like potholes, which also stop a fire truck in its tracks.

Alarming AI ads are flooding social media in the lead-up to Victoria’s election. But who is behind them?

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A woman gives birth on the side of the road, unable to reach a hospital due to ambulance ramping and crater-like potholes, which also stop a fire truck in its tracks.

A machete-wielding robber, a 'tsunami of debt' … campaigns echoing opposition talking points outspend major parties Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A man clad in a balaclava and...

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A woman gives birth on the side of the road, unable to reach a hospital due to ambulance ramping and crater-like potholes, which also stop a fire truck in its tracks. A machete-wielding robber, a 'tsunami of debt' … campaigns echoing opposition talking points outspend major parties Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A man clad in a balaclava and brandishing a machete terrorises a worker at a petrol station before firebombing the building on the way out.

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  • A machete-wielding robber, a 'tsunami of debt' … campaigns echoing opposition talking points outspend major parties Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A man clad in a balaclava and...

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