THE fate of social media blitzes, online advertising, robocalls and mass text messages used in Tasmanian election campaigns will not be known until after an upper house inquiry expected to conduct hearings in March. Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin last year requested a report on the Electoral Act in the wake of calls for the legislation to be reviewed after the state election. The act bans political material from being published in newspapers on election day, and from being broadcast on television and radio from the Wednesday before an election. Concerns had been raised over a perceived "free rein" to use other forms of communication in the final hours before the polls. Similar concerns at a Commonwealth level about electioneering during broadcast blackouts this week sparked a review on a national scale. Dr Goodwin received a briefing on such issues from Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Julian Type in August last year, but is waiting until an upper house committee report into electoral matters is finalised before considering any reforms. "As the TEC's resources in the second half of last year were devoted to conducting local government elections, the Legislative Council Committee inquiry into the operations of the TEC is the first opportunity to look closely at some of these matters," Dr Goodwin said. Committee chairwoman Rosemary Armitage said there had been considerable interest in the inquiry, but that she could not comment on particular areas of concern until submissions closed at the end of next month. Ms Armitage said it was pleasing to see federal laws governing elections being reviewed, adding that the upcoming state review should perhaps have been undertaken earlier. The inquiry is examining the administration of and any deficiencies with the Electoral Act, as well as resources available to the TEC. "I believe it is important that there is fairness, honesty and consistency across the act," Ms Armitage said. Mr Type confirmed he would be assisting the inquiry, but would not be drawn on what, if any, submission the commission had made. Elections for three Legislative Council seats will take place in May.
THE fate of social media blitzes, online advertising, robocalls and mass text messages used in Tasmanian election campaigns will not be known until after an upper house inquiry expected to conduct hearings in March.
Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin last year requested a report on the Electoral Act in the wake of calls for the legislation to be reviewed after the state election.
The act bans political material from being published in newspapers on election day, and from being broadcast on television and radio from the Wednesday before an election.
Concerns had been raised over a perceived "free rein" to use other forms of communication in the final hours before the polls.
Similar concerns at a Commonwealth level about electioneering during broadcast blackouts this week sparked a review on a national scale.
Dr Goodwin received a briefing on such issues from Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Julian Type in August last year, but is waiting until an upper house committee report into electoral matters is finalised before considering any reforms.
"As the TEC's resources in the second half of last year were devoted to conducting local government elections, the Legislative Council Committee inquiry into the operations of the TEC is the first opportunity to look closely at some of these matters," Dr Goodwin said.
Committee chairwoman Rosemary Armitage said there had been considerable interest in the inquiry, but that she could not comment on particular areas of concern until submissions closed at the end of next month.
Ms Armitage said it was pleasing to see federal laws governing elections being reviewed, adding that the upcoming state review should perhaps have been undertaken earlier.
The inquiry is examining the administration of and any deficiencies with the Electoral Act, as well as resources available to the TEC.
"I believe it is important that there is fairness, honesty and consistency across the act," Ms Armitage said.
Mr Type confirmed he would be assisting the inquiry, but would not be drawn on what, if any, submission the commission had made.
Elections for three Legislative Council seats will take place in May.
