In case you missed it, the Coalition questioned whether Abbie Chatfield posting clips of her podcast interviews with Anthony Albanese and Adam Bandt on her social media platforms needed election authorisation. Most things involving political candidates do, except for media interviews. The Coalition was trying to pretend that new media, podcasts and social media influencers who may interview politicians for their content, might need those authorisations.

The AEC looked into it and found – no, in the case of interviewing someone for a podcast (where no payment was made, as was the case with Chatfield and other big players in this space like Hannah Ferguson) there is no need for an authorisation – that it is just like a media interview.

Change is happening peeps. Whether you like it or not, each generation is going to make their mark on how they use media and it’s always going to look different to what you grew up with.

The AEC has published published additional guidance about authorisation statements required for social media content:

Influencers / podcasters / content creators

With the increased involvement by influencers, podcasters and other content creators in political commentary during the 2025 federal election the following provides additional information and guidance.   

Electoral communication distributed by individuals or organisations that are not political entities (e.g. candidates or political parties or otherwise required to register with the AEC as disclosure entity), does not require an authorisation unless:

  • the material is paid advertising, or
  • payment is involved to produce/distribute the material, or 
  • gifts-in-kind are provided by a political entity that are conditional on certain material being distributed, or 
  • the material is communicated by or on behalf of a political entity. 

The factors outlined above are consistent with electoral authorisation requirements that have been in place for many elections and remain outlined in the AEC’s authorisations better practice guide.

Cross-posting

Today’s additional guidance material is specific to the cross-posting functionality available on some social media platforms. 

Video content originating from an individual or organisation that is not required to authorise their unpaid communication could, if cross-posted by a political entity (e.g party, candidate or associated entity), introduce an authorisation requirement on that content, but only on behalf of the political entity. 

The AEC is communicating with political entities directly to ensure this technical aspect of electoral authorisation requirements is understood.