We’re asking you to help us keep an eye on dodgy political campaigning! The experience of past elections is that some parties and candidates ‘cross the line’ in terms of what fair campaigning can be. Perhaps we can put a stop to it.

In effect there is no election watchdog. The Tasmanian Electoral Commission actually has few resources to monitor compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act; in any case, their remit is specifically limited to likely offences under the legislation.

Councils are responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Signs Code. Anything that looks like a billboard, regardless of where it is, requires a permit. Standard electoral signs for candidates, parties and messages up to 1.5 metres squared are allowed on private property without a permit. In theory there should not be “repetition of messages or information”. Businesses are limited to 3 if their frontage is less than 20 metres, 6 if larger.

There is no ‘truth in political advertising’ law in Tasmania. Misleading claims should be called out.

Therefore it’s up to the community to be the watchdog.

Let us know if you come across or become aware any of the following:’

  • non-complying electoral signs (encroaching on any road or other public land; larger than 1.5m2)
  • signs being stolen or vandalised
  • dodgy messaging (unclear, discriminatory, vulgar, unauthorised, etc.)
  • unauthorised signs, flyers or other campaign material
  • push-polling (a ‘survey’ that asks you loaded questions designed to manipulate your opinion)
  • roadside trailer billboards
  • annoying, intrusive campaign methods (for example, SMS bombardment from unknown numbers)
  • secret campaign donations
  • unacceptable candidate behaviour (aggression, bullying, disengagement, misrepresentation, etc.)
  • ‘Trojan horse’ independents who try to hide or disown their links to parties or lobby groups
  • policy claims and promises that are demonstrably false, laughable, impossible/magical
  • wobble boarding (people distracting drivers by waving signs beside the road)
  • attempts to influence the election from outside Tasmania
  • misleading information about how to vote
  • any other type of campaigning that strikes you as inappropriate.

We’ll consider your reports carefully and follow up where we can. Look out for the ElectionWatch updates below.

Please send us your tips, reports and images to [email protected].

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

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