Kate Chaney (Curtin, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I second the motion. This bill is not just about electoral reform; it's about restoring integrity, trust and truth in our democracy and protecting voters. We've seen a steady decline over twenty years in voter satisfaction with democracy and trust in government and political efficacy, and allowing lies in political ads doesn't help.

The member for Warringah and I, along with other crossbench members, have long advocated for stronger safeguards against misinformation in political advertising. In the 47th Parliament, we pushed for legislation that would prohibit materially misleading electoral communications. The member for Warringah introduced two bills on this topic, and my Electoral Legislation Amendment (Restoring Trust) Bill and Electoral Legislation Amendment (Fair and Transparent Elections) Bill both addressed the issue too. The government did eventually introduce a bill to address this, but it lapsed with the dissolution of parliament, and the need for it has only grown more urgent. This is important unfinished business, so we're reintroducing the government's bill so we can get on with it. We need to do it now so it can be in place before the next election.

We need this bill to be debated and passed because lies in political advertising are corrosive. They distort public debate, manipulate voters and undermine the democratic process. In other areas of public communication, the public is protected. Whether it's consumer advertising or financial advice, there are laws against misleading communications. Yet in politics, where the stakes are high, we allow lies to flourish unchecked. In his submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, Professor George Williams argues:

Truth is fundamental to democracy. When citizens cannot tell fact from fiction, and leaders spread falsehoods for political advantage, society as a whole is damaged.

This bill would prohibit materially misleading electoral content, including where AI or other digital technologies are used to mislead. It would also establish an electoral communications panel to oversee compliance and provide a fair, independent mechanism for enforcement. This would only apply to purported statements of fact. Parties and other political players would still be free to express their opinions. That's really important. Freedom of speech would not be impeded. This bill is based on a framework that has existed in South Australia for 25 years, and that law is seen as being proportionate and not in any breach of any freedoms. We're showing that it can be done. This is not a radical idea. The rise of deepfakes and synthetic media is not a distant threat; it is very much here now, and if we don't act now we risk losing the public's trust, not just in politicians but in the democratic process itself.

I commend the member for Warringah for her leadership and persistence on this issue, and I urge all members of this House to support this bill. Let's show Australians that we are serious about protecting democracy in the digital age.

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