As early voting for the federal election opens today, rival claims of misleading advertising from both sides of politics are the inevitable consequence of the absence of Truth in Political Advertising laws – because, in this election, it is still perfectly legal to lie in a political ad at a federal level.
Key Points:
- Nine in 10 Australians (89%) support Truth in Political Advertising laws, including two in three who strongly support such laws (64%).
- There is overwhelming and consistent support for Truth in Political Advertising laws from Labor (93%), Coalition (88%), Greens (87%), One Nation (92%) and Independent/Other voters (79%).
- Truth in political advertising laws have operated successfully in South Australia for 40 years.
- At the end of 2024, the Albanese Government introduced legislation to Parliament to implement Truth in Political Advertising laws federally - but this legislation was not passed.
- Independent MP Zali Steggall introduced a private member's bill for truth in political advertising laws.
- South Australia has had truth in political advertising laws since the 1980s; the ACT Legislative Assembly passed similar laws prior to the 2020 ACT election with tri-partisan support.
"At a federal level, it is perfectly legal to lie in a political ad, and it shouldn't be," said Bill Browne, Director of The Australia Institute's Democracy & Accountability Program.
"Political advertisements that are deceptive and misleading interfere with the public's ability to make informed decisions. Without action, we risk election campaigns sliding into a free-fall of fake news.
"Earlier this year, Labor and Liberal politicians voted to give political parties tens of millions of dollars more in public funding. Without Truth in Political Advertising laws, there is every danger that taxpayer money will be spent lying to the public.
"Corporations are already prohibited from making misleading or deceptive claims - Australians should be able to expect the same or higher standard of honesty in politics as in trade and commerce.
"Truth in Political Advertising laws have transformed campaigning in South Australia, leading political party directors to scrutinise all political ads for accuracy. Australians are entitled to the same rigour and honesty in national political advertising, but currently there is no guarantee they will get it.
"With trust in government distressingly low across Australia, all sides of politics should take the opportunity to restore some public faith in politics and the representatives they elect to Parliament."
