[Greens-Media] Committee told truth in election advertising 'not required' - Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Monday, 11 August 2008

Committee told truth in election advertising 'not required' - Brown

Greens move for electoral advertising watchdog

There is no watchdog requiring truth in advertising for federal
elections, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

Senator Brown was speaking outside a meeting of the Parliament's Joint
Committee on Electoral Matters in Melbourne today.

'The Australian Electoral Commission has made it clear to the Committee
that, while the Electoral Act prohibits misleading voters on
technicalities about how they may validly cast a vote, it has no power
to prevent misleading or untruthful advertising by parties about their
policies or about their opponents. Any clever lie will do,' Senator
Brown said.

Senator Brown said the Greens will move to insist on truth in election
campaigns by appointing an advertising watchdog under the Electoral Act.

'Information is the currency of democracy and misleading voters, in
particular through negative attacks on opponents, should be made
illegal,' Senator Brown said. 

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603