Shadow Minister Media Releases
Labor Rejects Truth In Advertising ( 07/03/2008)
Shadow Minister for Regulatory Reform Don Page today condemned the Iemma Labor Government for opposing a Bill that would have ensured truth in political advertising at election time.
In Parliament yesterday Labor Member for Camden Geoff Corrigan announced the Iemma Government would be opposing the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2007. It would have made political advertising subject to approval by an independent regulator.
“It speaks volumes of the Iemma Labor Government that it would oppose truth in political advertising,” Mr Page said.
“Current laws allow political parties to produce political advertising that can be fraudulent and misleading.
“The Labor Party spent millions of dollars at the last state election producing advertising that was totally false.
“Morris Iemma is against this Bill because he wants the right to continue misleading people before elections.”
Mr Page said the Bill would have restored the public’s faith in the accuracy of political advertising.
“In a democracy people are entitled to expect honesty and accuracy from their political leaders,” he said.
“The Bill was based on South Australian laws that ensure truth in advertising so it should be good enough for NSW.
“It is essential that information provided to voters in determining their decision about voting is true and accurate.
“The Labor Government should adopt these laws to ensure election advertising is true and accurate,” Mr Page said.
