Thread by @TheAusInstitute

1 // FACT: It's perfectly legal to lie in a political ad, and it shouldn't be #auspol #actpol
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2 // Without action, we risk election campaigns sliding into a fake-news free-for-all

Political advertisements that are deceptive and misleading interfere with the public’s ability to make informed decisions. #auspol #actpol
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3 // As the nation’s capital, the ACT has the opportunity to play a leadership role

Around the world, democracies are struggling to adjust to a world full of disinformation. how to address this challenge will be a defining issue of our age. #auspol #actpol

4 // In fact @theausinstitute research shows 9 in 10 Canberrans want Truth in Political Advertising Laws.

This support is across all parties: 91% ALP voters, 84% LNP voters & 94% of Greens voters support such legislation. #actpol (ping @ABarrMLA @alistair_coe @ShaneRattenbury)

5 // Politicians from all sides of politics agree it’s a good idea: Liberal MP @JasonFalinskiMP & Independent MP @zalisteggall co-wrote a submission to JSCEM, @JayWeatherill & @DrCraigEmerson recommended such laws in their ALP review, @GreensMPs have long argued for such reforms

— not to mention signatories to an Open Letter calling for Truth in Political Advertising reform including former Liberal Party leader @JohnRHewson , former Democrats leader & Labor MP Cheryl Kernot, & Labor MP John Langmore. #auspol #actpol
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6// Regulating for truth isn't hard. In fact, we already do it.
Australian consumer law requires truth in trade & commerce.

Why should Australians have more protection from dishonesty buying a used car than when casting a vote? #auspol #actpol
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7// Seriously, we actually already do it in politics too: just look at SA

South Australia has had Truth in Political Advertising laws since 1980s & that hasn’t prevented robust election campaigning or impeded on freedom of speech. #auspol #actpol
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8 // Social Media Won’t Regulate Themselves
Twitter and Facebook have proven themselves unwilling to ensure that their platforms are free of fake news and misleading ads. Regulatory changes are needed. #auspol #actpol medium.com/@TheAustraliaI…

9 // 5 prominent Australians have written to the ACT Legislative Assembly calling for truth in political advertising laws — including former judges, former politicians from across the political spectrum, academics and civil society leaders. #auspol #actpol
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10 // The ACT Legislative Assembly is considering Truth in Political Advertising Legislation TOMORROW and Canberra could pass legislation modeled on the existing SA laws as soon as then! #auspol #actpol
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The time is ripe for Truth in Political advertising laws that are constitutional, uphold free speech, but introduce a measure of fairness and accountability to the political process. Enough is Enough. #actpol #auspol

Add your name here> nb.tai.org.au/truth_in_polit…