Liberals question links between Tina Brown and newspaper she publishes

Berowra teal candidate Tina Brown publishes The Post newspaper - that magazine has given “in kind donations” to Ms Brown’s campaign.

Teal candidate Tina Brown is giving herself free advertising space in the local newspaper she owns, sparking anger from Liberals who are demanding the publication be declared “electoral material”.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that The Post newspaper - which Ms Brown publishes - has been donating advertising space to Ms Brown’s political campaign.

The electoral commission said it would “review” whether the magazine is breaking electoral laws, after a Liberal senator alleged that Tina Brown is using the newspaper she publishes to “influence” voters in Berowra.

April’s edition of the magazine, distributed across the electorate on Sunday, carried a full page advertisement for Ms Brown on the front page.

It also featured another advertisement on page 13, and an opinion piece from the candidate.

The advertisements were properly authorised as “electoral material,” but The Post has also been spruiking Ms Brown’s campaign online - including in a Facebook post from last month.

Tina Brown is the teal candidate for Berowra. Picture: Supplied, , Source https://www.tinabrownforberowra.com.au/

The post shared one of Ms Brown’s campaign ads, declaring: “ Stay tuned for election coverage with The Post, and YES it’s owned by Tina Brown - Community Independent for Berowra who is a proud local small business owner, mother and advocate for the Berowra community.”

Ms Brown’s campaign entity, Tina Brown for Berowra Pty Ltd, is registered at the same address as that of The Post.

Ms Brown said she registered her campaign entity at The Post’s address “In the interest of protecting my privacy and that of my family,” because she did not have a campaign office.

Ms Brown is also the publisher of The Post newspaper. Picture: Supplied, , Source https://www.tinabrownforberowra.com.au/

Liberal senator Maria Kovacic complained to the Australian Electoral Commission about links between Ms Brown’s campaign, and the newspaper she publishes, last month.

“In my view, a newspaper that is produced from the same office as an associated

entity must be considered to be producing electoral material, seeking to influence voting intention of voters,” she said in the letter.

In a Facebook post responding to the Telegraph’s inquiries, Ms Brown said criticised questions about links between her campaign and her newspaper, declaring The Post carries ads from any candidate wishing to pay.

She also revealed she was using her newspaper to help her campaign.

“I don’t have the backing of a major party, and that’s why, of course, I’m going to use every resource available to me, including my own magazine.”

A spokeswoman said the AEC would “review” whether content in The Post was being properly authorised.

Liberals have questioned the links between Ms Brown’s campaign and The Post. Picture: Instagram

She said the AEC “reminds” media organisations to ensure electoral advertising is authorised, and any gifts - including free advertising space - “is reported to the AEC if … over the disclosure threshold”.

She said it would be “unusual” for an entire newspaper to be considered electoral material.

In response to questions, Ms Brown’s campaign adviser said “there will be a declaration of in kind donations and paid advertisements from The Post.”

“The Post also accepts advertising for other political candidates and parties.”

She said Tina Brown for Berowra Pty Ltd had spent “approximately $49,000” in electoral spending since March.

The Post was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Liberals question links between Tina Brown and newspaper she publishes