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Australian Electoral Commission
The AEC is today urging anyone communicating about the 2023 referendum to consider whether they need to authorise their communication.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said there is likely to be a range of referendum campaigners who aren’t active communicators during a federal election.
“Politically active entities are familiar with the requirement to authorise their messages but others who will campaign in this referendum may not be,” Mr Rogers said.
“If your communication is designed to encourage people to vote a certain way and you are expending money to create or distribute that communication, or if you’re likely to be a referendum entity, then you have to authorise that communication.”
“Authorisation laws are all about people knowing who is communicating with them about their vote – my advice to all campaigners is to make that as clear as possible and if in doubt, authorise.”
“Public debate is important. The AEC isn’t here to stifle or prevent debate but we do want to make sure referendum communication is transparent and complies with the law.”
The AEC has been monitoring public communication about the referendum to identify people and entities who may have an obligation to authorise their communication or disclose financial details relating to the referendum.
“We’re contacting people directly where we can - this is Australia’s first referendum in 24 years and we’re doing everything in our power to ensure people know what their obligations are around referendum communication.”
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
