What are the requirements for authorising political advertising?
Requirements for authorising printed electoral matter (including in an electronic form such as an internet site) are regulated under the Electoral Act 1992 and are outlined in the authorising electoral material factsheet and the Candidate’s Information Handbook. Authorisations for TV and radio political advertising are regulated under the Commonwealth’s Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (TV and radio are under Commonwealth jurisdiction under the Constitution). The responsible authority is the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The relevant rules for TV and radio political advertising are set out on the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s site – for rules concerning TV and radio advertising click here. Election advertising in the electronic media is subject to a ‘blackout’ from midnight on the Wednesday before polling day until polling day. The blackout does not relate to news broadcasts or to the printed media. This is a requirement of the Broadcasting Act not the
