A rare mention of truth in political advertising policy this question, with the Prime Minister asked why he deprioritised pursue truth in political advertising laws over the last three years in favour of a deal with the Coalition on other electoral changes.
Truth in political advertising laws have overwhelming public support (89% in the Australia Institute’s last set of polling research) and are proven to work in South Australia and now the ACT.
Anthony Albanese replied that he would like to have another crack at truth in politics laws, and “We tried to do a range of legislation which we didn’t have support for from the Coalition.”
It’s a disappointing response. In 2022, Australians didn’t elect a Coalition Government, they elected a Labor Government – and an integrity supermajority in both houses of parliament once minor parties and independents are accounted for. And Peter Dutton didn’t oppose truth in political advertising laws, at least not publicly – he said they are “probably welcome”.
The Government doesn’t need the Opposition’s permission to bring in popular and proven laws.
1 Comment
This one is utterly infuriating.
Mate, you are the *Government*!! Your job is to pass legislation based on the fact that you have the numbers! And the cross bench are all on board too (on paper) so anything you put up should just sail through. What other legislation you wanted did you not bother with because the Opposition didn't want to play?
FFS - the disengenuity of it.