Australian human rights activist Drew Pavlou ignited a social media storm on July 14, 2025, with a furious tweet condemning a prominent political campaign following the inadvertent publication of a highly sensitive internal memo. The document, allegedly authored by veteran political strategist Henry "Hank" Peterson, detailed controversial strategic plans and aggressive tactics not intended for public consumption. Pavlou's viral post exclaimed, > "Hank!!!!! HANK!!!! HIDE THE REPLY! HANK!!!!! Worst political operation in history," fueling widespread speculation and criticism.
Henry "Hank" Peterson, a seasoned political strategist with a history of working on high-profile campaigns in both Australia and the United States, is reportedly a key figure within the unnamed political campaign now facing intense scrutiny. The leaked "reply," which was mistakenly uploaded to a public server before being hastily removed, has since circulated widely across social media platforms. The incident has cast a significant shadow over the campaign's ethical standing.
The inadvertently published memo contained detailed outlines of aggressive tactics targeting opposition figures, alongside internal polling data that reportedly contradicted the campaign's public statements. Furthermore, the document is said to have revealed sensitive information concerning campaign financing and the existence of a "dirty tricks" department. These revelations have sparked outrage and prompted calls for greater transparency in political operations from various stakeholders.
The fallout from the leak has led to widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with many questioning the integrity of the campaign's methods. While the affected campaign has yet to issue an official statement, sources indicate that extensive internal damage control efforts are actively underway. This significant gaffe could profoundly impact public trust and potentially alter the trajectory of the ongoing election cycle.