Recently we have been bombarded with text messages and ads from Clive Palmer and Craig Kelly with grossly inaccurate and, frankly, dangerous misinformation over COVID-19.
How can this happen? There is no legislation or rules to stop it. Right now, political parties can make an untrue statement about a political candidate in advertising that is not based on facts, or truth. Political messaging is also exempt from the “spam” legislation, which means Craig Kelly is lawful in sending those texts.
This is in contrast to businesses in Australia that face strict advertising codes so they don’t deceive or mislead their consumers. A medicine manufacturer, for example, cannot claim their medicine cures cancer when the product does not, and injury lawyers cannot promise that they will win every case for you. Surely the public deserves the same standard, if not a higher one, from MPs and political parties as they get from businesses?
Truth in political advertising is paramount to democracy. If voters are intentionally misled about the political parties they intend to vote for, how can they make a reasoned and balanced decision? That is why I have introduced “Stop the Lies” Bill that will stamp out misinformation and lies that we are so accustomed to every time an election is called.
The amendments I have proposed have been tried and tested, modelled on legislation that has been in place in South Australia for over 20 years and was adopted by the ACT last year. Importantly, it has been effective. When certain ads from major and minor parties in South Australia were found to contain lies, they were swiftly acted upon.
For example, in July this year South Australian Labor Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas MP published on Facebook that the state Liberal party had “secret plans to cut doctors and nurses from the hospital system.” Except there was no secret plan, and that statement was found to be false. Under federal laws, no action could have been taken against Mr Malinauskas. However, under South Australian laws, the Australian Electoral Commission found the post as being “inaccurate and misleading” and concluded that there was no “secret” plan in place. As a result, the Opposition leader had to apologise on his Facebook page and admit that his statement was wrong.
Indeed, social media has amplified the capacity to mislead. As soon as misinformation is out there, it can be disseminated to large audiences immediately without fact checking or due processes. That’s why the Stop the Lies amendments also address the online issue of deep fakes through the banning of impersonation or passing off a misrepresentation of a candidate. Since drafting the Bill, I have now started exploring what can be done to stop the unsolicited text messages from MPs such as Craig Kelly on serious health matters. This would involve changing the “spam legislation” and who and what falls under it.
As we approach the next federal election, we know that the major parties shamelessly weaponise mistruths to win elections. Many of you might remember the ‘Death Tax’ campaign in 2019 against the Labor Government and in 2016 we saw ‘Mediscare’ campaign against the Liberal/National party. Campaigners argue that scare tactics and campaigns built on fear, work. However, as a result, the public trust of politicians and the political system is being eroded. Just one in four Australians have confidence in their political representatives. By 2025, if the trend continues only 10% of the public will trust politicians. We must reverse this trend.
We also know the community is fed up with it. According to polling conducted by the Australia Institute 87% of people support truth in political advertising laws. It is important for our democracy that we stamp out corruption, that money is spent effectively and efficiently and that voters are told the truth.
Read a copy of Zali Steggall’s Bill at www.zalisteggall.com.au