Page 2286 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
This would mean, for example, that the commissioner could request that an ad posted on a particular social media platform be retracted on the same platform. This is what in fact happens in South Australia, in general. The commissioner makes a determination and a retraction is published. Of course, if there is a disagreement, the matter can be decided by the courts. In other words, the Electoral Commissioner is not the sole arbiter.
One of the really good features of how it is done in South Australia, and will be done here, is that the turnaround is quick enough that it is relevant to the election. It is not something that should be determined six months after the election. The idea is that the people of the ACT should be able to be sure that there are no actually misleading advertisements or falsehoods in the electoral advertisements.
This has been an effective system in South Australia. I hope that the Assembly will support this amendment.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (5.22): The government will be supporting this amendment today.
The amendment, as Ms Le Couteur has outlined, produces a scheme for dealing with misleading electoral advertising. Certainly, as a matter of principle, we believe that political debate should always be based on facts.
I do note that there have been some occasions recently when I have had to draw to the attention of the Greens some reflections on things that have happened in this Chamber. We want to make sure that we base things on facts from here on.
I also note that, even though this provision will not be commencing prior to this election, I hope that the commitment of all three parties in support of this particular provision will at least morally and ethically bind each of the parties to support it.
We do have some concerns about the workability of the scheme. If we are returned, we will be working closely with the Electoral Commissioner to address some of the practical issues that the commission may face in the running of the scheme; but we support the amendment.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (5.23): The Canberra Liberals will be supporting this amendment. We agree that there is a need for truth in electoral advertising. I understand the need for this legislation, from personal experience; that is, I and others have been the victims of fake social media posts and many other issues along the way. There should be a level of accountability when something demonstrably false is disseminated. It severely undermines public confidence in the Assembly and its members.
The Canberra Liberals look forward to engaging with the Electoral Commissioner on how this will be rolled out. We do not want this offence to be used to inhibit the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video