CANBERRA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Almost 90 percent of Australian voters would support laws requiring truth in political advertising, a survey has found.

The survey, published by independent Canberra-based think tank the Australia Institute on Thursday, found that 87 percent of Australians agree that truth in advertising laws should be in place in time for the next general election, which will most likely be held in 2025.

The poll of 1,547 voters was conducted following the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which was defeated by a clear majority of voters.

The Australia Institute found that 72 percent of respondents said they were concerned about "lies and misinformation" that circulated on social media during the referendum campaign.

Those who identified as voting 'Yes' in the referendum were more likely to be concerned about misinformation and support truth in political advertising laws.

"Misinformation and disinformation swamped the referendum campaign with arguments that often had little to do with what Australians were being asked to vote on," Richard Denniss, executive director of the Australia Institute, said in a statement.

"Whether it is an election or a referendum, voters should go to the polls armed with the facts. In Australia, it is perfectly legal to lie in a political ad -- and it shouldn't be ... If Australia is going to have a healthy democracy, we need to have healthy democratic debates."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in November 2022 flagged his intention to introduce federal truth in political advertising laws.

The powerful parliamentary joint standing committee on electoral matters in June endorsed the plan as well as a legislated cap on political donations in its interim report on the 2022 general election.

It proposed the establishment of a new division within the Australian Electoral Commission to administer the laws. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)