The Australian Electoral Fee will present Aussies with perception into any mistruths unfold in regards to the processes concerned within the upcoming proposed Voice to parliament referendum.
A Referendum Disinformation Register has been launched in response to the rising public commentary in regards to the first federal referendum in practically 1 / 4 of a century.
The proposed referendum will give voters a say on whether or not the structure must be modified to embed the Voice – which might be allowed to make representations to the parliament in addition to the chief authorities of the day.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers stated the AEC was the company greatest suited to debunk any misinformation about what’s concerned within the referendum course of, however not in regards to the Sure or No campaigns.
“In terms of referendum processes, we’re the company that may ship them, we’re the consultants and we’ll proceed to be lively in defending Australia’s democracy,” Mr Rogers stated.
“Australia has not had a federal referendum in practically 1 / 4 of a century, with round 6.4 million individuals on the present electoral roll who weren’t of voting age at the moment.
“It’s important that we’re lively in guaranteeing individuals know the way the method works.”
With the referendum anticipated to occur throughout the later a part of 2023, the AEC has famous there’s already been disinformation revealed.
Mr Rogers stated the AEC won’t tolerate any “unfold of mistruths” in regards to the referendum processes.
“Whereas we’ll be lively in speaking about referendum processes, it’s as much as voters to cease and think about info they see, hear or learn from ‘sure’ and ‘no’ campaigns,” he stated.
“We are able to’t and received’t play a task with marketing campaign info past guaranteeing it’s authorised, so individuals know the supply.
“The Australian vote belongs to all Australians and there may be freedom of political communication. Nevertheless, should you unfold incorrect details about the method we run – intentionally or in any other case – we’ll right you.”
The disinformation register will focus solely on dangerous disinformation referring to the method of conducting referendums.
The AEC may even run an promoting marketing campaign encouraging voters to rigorously ‘cease and think about’ info they obtain relating to the proposed Constitutional modification.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney stated she welcomed the AEC’s marketing campaign.
“There was already, so early within the day, a lot misinformation and I feel mischievous misinformation put out in regards to the Voice, each by press conferences, feedback within the public area and thru social media,” she stated.
“It is extremely vital for this nation, for all of us, for all of you (journalists) to ensure that there may be absolute readability on what a referendum is, and what this referendum is about.
“I’m more than happy to ear the AEC is taking the motion to ensure that the knowledge that’s being put out is definitely factual. I welcome that very a lot.”
Initially revealed as Australian Electoral Fee launches referendum disinformation register
