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Razor blades hidden in returned same-sex marriage survey envelope

Razor blades have been found in a returned same sex marriage postal survey, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says.

There have been 34 complaints of fraud relating to the postal survey, ABS deputy Australian statistician Jonathan Palmer told a Senate committee hearing in Canberra on Wednesday.

Mr Palmer said 14 of those complaints were referred to the Australian Federal Police and were related to the attempted sale of survey forms online, while another four were referred to state and territory police and involved survey form theft.

A number of the envelopes contained items which appeared suspicious, including one which had razor blades.

Razor blades have been found in a returned same sex marriage postal survey. Photo: AAP
Razor blades have been found in a returned same sex marriage postal survey. Photo: AAP

The AFP confirmed to PerthNow it had received 14 referrals from the ABS for investigation.

“The AFP has undertaken an evaluation of the matters referred,” a spokeswoman said.

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“Based on the information available, the AFP will not be taking any further action in relation to these matters.”

Other items such as soil and glitter are believed to have been found in some of the returned envelopes.

There have been 34 complaints of fraud relating to the postal survey. Photo: AAP
There have been 34 complaints of fraud relating to the postal survey. Photo: AAP