The Tasmanian Liberals will ask police to investigate the Australian Education Union (AEU) over emails it sent to MPs purporting to be from teachers.
The personalised emails urged Liberal state MPs to support the AEU's Quality Education campaign.
But when some MPs replied to the emails the supposed senders were not aware of the email.
"We have had numerous complaints from teachers that these emails have been sent in their name, with workplace details but without their knowledge," campaign spokesman Michael Ferguson said.
"At best, it appears the AEU's actions are grossly unethical, and at worst, potentially criminal.
"That's why this clearly warrants further investigation by police as to whether the conduct may amount to a fraud (s.253A) or personation (s.288) under Tasmania's Criminal Code."
An example of the email follows:
Dear Members,
My name is XXXXXXX and I am an educator at XXXXXXX High School.
I'm emailing you today because another school year is about to begin with students still waiting for support and there has been no policy announcement from your party that will give the 62,000 school students their start they need in an ever changing and challenging world.
The Quality Education for All campaign encapsulates the voices of Tasmanian principals, teachers and support staff. It calls on your party to commit to an additional 250 teachers, 200 teacher assistants and professional supports to ensure Tassie kids no longer wait for the support they need and that all schools are resourced to develop a quality education.
I signed the Quality Education pledge because this is for our students and not the teachers.
I look forward to your party prioritising education and Tasmania's future with a commitment to providing the additional resources we need before school returns.
There is nothing more valuable and more important than providing a quality education.
Yours sincerely, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, Tasmania, XXXX, Australia
But the exchange prompted by this email revealed the supposed sender was unaware of the email.
"Not sure what has happened here, but I did not send this email. Please let other Party members know on my behalf," they wrote.
'Matter for police to investigate'
Mr Ferguson said the party would refer the emails to police for investigation.
"The AEU needs to explain its actions, how they were able to access people's private information, and whether they had informed consent to send each of these political emails on their behalf," he said.
Australian Education Union President Helen Richardson said AEU members were invited to sign an online petition and were given the option to opt out of their name being shared.
"As is the nature of petitions, they are designed to be presented to the recipients — in this case local politicians," she said.
"AEU members were emailed last week to let them know that we were going to start sending the petition names to MPs over the weekend."
Tasmania Police has been contacted for comment.
