It is time to outlaw misleading political advertising – before the next election.
Our research
The Australia Institute has conducted polling on truth in political advertising since 2016. Each poll has revealed overwhelming support for introducing laws at various jurisdictional levels and in federal elections.
Report: We can handle the truth
Truth in political advertising laws are supported by 84% of Australians.
Successful models include industry self-regulation in New Zealand and making misleading advertising an offence in South Australia.
Decisions about what constitutes “the truth” may be fraught, but they are routinely made by companies and regulators under consumer law. Australia can choose from a variety of models, but some form of truth in political advertising should be legislated.
Report: Possible, practical and popular
87% of Australians support truth in political advertising laws.
87% of Coalition voters support truth in political advertising laws.
88% of Labor voters support truth in political advertising laws.
82% of Greens voters support truth in political advertising laws.
87% of One Nation voters support truth in political advertising laws.
Report: Misinformation and the referendum
New research from the Australia Institute shows more than 60 per cent of ‘No’ voters are concerned about the misinformation and disinformation that circulated on social media during the referendum campaign, with more than 80 per cent of that cohort wanting to see truth in political advertising laws in place before the federal election, expected in 2025.
The Australia Institute conducted a special exit poll, surveying a sample of 1,547 Australians from 6pm Saturday 14 October, about the Voice referendum and misinformation.
Nine in ten Australians (87%) agreed that truth in political advertising laws should be in place in time for the next federal election campaign; only 4% disagreed.
Seven in ten Australians (72%) agree they are concerned about lies and misinformation that circulated on social media during the referendum campaign, compared to one in five who disagree (17%).
Submission: Fortifying Australian democracy
The Australia Institute made a submission to the JSCEM Inquiry into the 2022 Federal Election.
Australia is a thriving, inventive democracy – but in the face of global democratic decline we should strengthen and protect our political institutions with measured reforms.
— Bill Browne, Director of Democracy and Accountability and Tony Shields, Research Fellow.
The Australia Institute recommends:
- The Parliament adopt truth in political advertising laws, based on the South Australian model.
- Election advertisements be required to be submitted to a publicly accessible archive.
- The Committee consider whether to hold an inquiry into the impact of social media on democracy, expanding upon the Victorian Electoral Matters Committee’s inquiry.
Polling: 2016
Post-election polling in 2016 revealed support for federal truth in political advertising laws rested at 88%.
There was some partisan variation in 2016, with 94% of Coalition voters and 78% of Labor voters in support.
New South Wales
Polling: Cook By-Election – Integrity Reform
An overwhelming majority of voters in the seat of Cook, the electorate of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, support truth in political advertising and a strong National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Over four in five voters (85%) agree that truth in political advertising laws should be in place ahead of the next federal election, with just 5% of voters opposed.
Submission: Review of the 2023 NSW election
NSW political donations laws are opaque; truth in political advertising laws are missing; and donation caps, spending caps and public funding overwhelmingly favor incumbents over new entrants.
The Australia Institute recommends to, “Legislate truth in political advertising laws along the South Australian model, in time for the next state election.”
Tasmania
Submission: Money and power in Tasmanian elections
Despite many examples of why Tasmania needs truth in political advertising laws, the Tasmanian Government continues to object to such laws.
The Electoral Disclosure and Funding Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to address shortcomings of existing electoral laws; however, further amendments are required to adequately account for fairness for new political entrants, allow community voices to engage in elections, and strengthen regulation of corporates and industry bodies seeking to influence elections as third parties.
The Australia Institute recommends, “Amend the Bill to extend the provisions of section 197 of the Electoral Act 2004 on misleading and deceptive electoral matter to include political advertising, modelled on ACT legislation.”
Victoria
Submission: 2022 Victorian State Election Inquiry
Victoria’s electoral laws need truth in advertising and fair rules for new entrants
With Labor, the Coalition and the Greens all supporting truth in political advertising laws in principle, Victorians will be asking why it is still perfectly legal to lie in a political ad.
— Bill Browne, Director of Democracy and Accountability.
Truth in political advertising laws are recommended, supported, and overdue in Victoria.
The Australia Institute recommends the Victorian Parliament pass truth in political advertising laws, in line with recommendations from the Electoral Matters Committee.
Queensland
Polling – Truth in political advertising in Queensland
Nine in 10 Queenslanders (87%) say Queensland should pass truth in political advertising laws, compared to 5% who say it should not.
