Truth in Political Advertising Laws Now
39 prominent Australians have signed an open letter, coordinated by the Australia Institute's Democracy & Accountability program, calling on federal Parliament to pass truth in political advertising laws that are nationally consistent, constitutional and uphold freedom of speech.
The Australia Institute’s research over five years shows that nine in 10 Australians want Parliament to pass truth in political advertising laws, with virtually no difference between Coalition, Labor, Greens and One Nation voters.
Signatories to the open letter include Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, former political party leaders and politicians from all sides of politics, including Dr Carmen Lawrence, Dr John Hewson and Cheryl Kernot, Tony Windsor AM, and Cathy McGowan AO, retired judges The Hon David Harper and The Hon Anthony Whealy, as well as academics, barristers, community leaders, business people and other prominent Australians.
Add your name to our open letter >
To the Australian Parliament --
Australians want advertising to be truthful and transparent.
Regulating the truth is not impossible.
But we face an upcoming federal election in which fake news and misleading claims about political opponents will only further erode trust in government.
We urge you to pass truth in political advertising laws that are nationally consistent, constitutional and uphold freedom of speech.