July 2024
Queensland deepfake underscores need for truth in political advertising laws
A recent Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated “deepfake” video of Labor Premier Steven Miles highlights Queensland’s lack of truth in political advertising laws that would defend against deception and misinformation in the democratic process.
June 2024
For a robust democracy, we need a working anti-corruption system and truth in political advertising
Transparency, integrity and accountability were buzzwords of the 2024 state election, yet Tasmanians went to the polls without knowing where their politicians get their money, without laws requiring truth in political advertising, and without an anti-corruption body that is fit for purpose.
October 2023
Overwhelming support for truth in political advertising laws following 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.
June 2023
Truth in political ads, election reform welcome, but devil is in the detail
The Australia Institute welcomes the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ interim report for its inquiry into the conduct of the 2022 election, in which Australia Institute research and recommendations are cited often. The committee recommends: A lower donation disclosure threshold ($1,000, down from over $15,000) and real-time disclosure of donations. Caps on political donations
November 2022
Electoral Act Reform a Crucial Opportunity for Tasmanian Truth in Advertising Laws
As the Tasmanian Parliament debates reforming the Electoral Act, integrity experts are urging politicians to use the opportunity to enact truth in political advertising protections, following deceptive and dangerous advertisements from the Australian Christian Lobby. Key Findings: Polling consistently finds most Australians want truth in political advertising laws, with 2021 Australia Institute polling research finding 87% of
Deceptive Political Ad Demonstrates Need for Truth in Political Advertising Laws in Tasmania
A prominent advertisement published by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) in The Mercury today highlights the need for Truth in Political Advertising laws in Tasmania. Key Details: On 9 November 2022, The Mercury published an ad from ACL that said “Plan to criminalise parents who question their children’s wish to change gender? Likely lose government!”
July 2022
Truth in Political Advertising Breakthrough Win for Democracy
Special Minister of State Don Farrell’s move to legislate truth in political advertising laws is a breakthrough win for democracy. The Australia Institute’s polling research has consistently shown that Truth in Political advertising laws are a popular, possible, and practical way of ensuring voters are not mislead on the way to the ballot box and
May 2022
Higgins Polling Research Shows Landslide Support for Truth in Political Advertising Laws
New polling in the federal seat of Higgins shows a tight race between the Government and Opposition, with respondents indicating a substantial drop in the Liberal Party primary vote. “This poll demonstrates landslide support for truth in political advertising laws (92%) in a campaign which has been marred by allegations of dishonesty and misinformation,” said
April 2022
It is time to talk about truth in political advertising
Before a vote has been cast, one election verdict has already been delivered. The campaign has been too light on policy and too heavy on misleading scare tactics. Our democracy is suffering for it. In just the first weeks of the election campaign, we have seen heated accusations of misleading claims from all sides. Waleed
Allegations of Political Lies Underscore Need for Truth in Political Advertising Laws
In just the second week of the federal election campaign, voters are already seeing heated accusations of lying from all sides, underscoring the need for federal truth in political advertising laws. Key Points: South Australia has had truth in political advertising laws since the 1980s. The ACT Legislative Assembly passed similar laws prior to the
March 2022
Vic Govt. democratic reforms supported by vast majority of voters: Polling
Truth in political advertising laws would be a first for Victoria The announcement today from the Victorian Government that it will back a wide range of democratic and electoral reforms, recommended by the multi-party Electoral Matters Committee and the Australia Institute, would be supported by a vast majority of Victorians, according to new polling. The
October 2021
Open Letter: 39 Prominent Australians Call for Truth in Political Advertising Laws
39 prominent Australians have signed an open letter co-ordinated by the Australia Institute, calling on Parliament to pass truth in political advertising laws that are nationally consistent, constitutional and uphold freedom of speech.
September 2021
Victorian Electoral Matters Committee Recommend Adoption of Truth in Political Advertising Laws
The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program welcomes the Victorian Electoral Matters Committee’s recommendation for Victoria to adopt truth in political advertising laws, with the Australia Institute’s submission to the inquiry cited extensively in the committee report published today. Key Facts: Since March 2020, the Victorian Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee has looked into the impact
December 2020
August 2020
Majority of Canberrans Want Truth in Political Advertising Laws
New research from the Australia Institute shows overwhelming public support in the ACT for truth in political advertising laws, with nine out of 10 ACT residents (89%) agreeing that the ACT should pass such laws. Strong support was seen across all voting persuasions, with 91% of Labor voters, 84% of Liberal voters, 94% of Greens
July 2020
ACT should lead way on truth in political advertising
by Ebony Bennett[Originally published in the Canberra Times, 25 July 2020] With the ACT election coming this October, Canberrans are already girding themselves for the love-bombing, fear-mongering and vigorous debate that comes along with every election campaign. The press conferences, policy announcements and debates are quite enough for any person to take in. Voters shouldn’t
June 2020
29 Prominent Australians Call for Truth in Political Advertising Laws By Next Election
An open letter co-ordinated by the Australia Institute and signed by 29 prominent Australians calls for Parliament to pass truth in political advertising laws that are nationally consistent, constitutional and uphold freedom of speech. Signatories to the open letter include former political party leaders and politicians, Dr John Hewson, Cheryl Kernot and Michael Beahan; former
November 2019
Truth in Political Advertising: Its Time Has Come
The Australia Institute welcomes the ALP Campaign Review recommendation for “truth in political advertising legislation based on the South Australian model be investigated and pursued in the Australian Parliament” (pp 64). In the Australia Institute’s submission to JSCEM highlighted the South Australian model as a demonstration of how Truth in Political Advertising legislation currently works in other jurisdictions, and noted
August 2019
We Can Handle the Truth: Proven and Popular Political Advertising Laws Required
New research from The Australia Institute shows that the vast majority of Australians (84%) support the introduction of rigorous truth in political advertising laws, which could force untruthful claims to be removed or retracted during election campaigns or see political parties that breach the law hit with fines or reductions in their public funding. That
July 2016
Truth in Political Advertising
87.7% of respondents in a post-election poll say the Senate should pass ‘truth in political advertising’ legislation. Only 5% of respondents in the survey of 2875 voters did not support legislation so that political parties and candidates could be fined for false and misleading advertising in the same way companies are. “It would seem wise
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