‘Chilling’: Influencers’ political posts under microscope at election inquiry

Influencers taking to TikTok and Instagram to discuss their political views have come under the microscope at an inquiry.

The Australian Electoral Commission will not intervene to stop influencers from commenting on federal elections, a parliamentary committee has been told.

Commissioner Tom Rogers has warned that requiring influencers and comedians to authorise their content would be “very difficult” to regulate and could have a “chilling effect” if it went too far.

“It’s a tough area because of that whole issue of implied freedom of political communication,” he said.

“It’s clear that some activities are fairly political in nature. It’s really complex. You don't want to stop humour and people’s legitimate commentary about the electoral process.

The AEC has warned against requiring authorisation on political content by influencers. Picture: Denis Charlet / AFP

“The implied freedom of political communication is very difficult to regulate and to go too far too would have a chilling effect on the ability of citizens to express themselves at election time.”

But influencers and comedians being paid to post were required to authorise their content, Mr Rogers said.

Under current legislation, an authorisation statement is required to allow Australians to know the advertising source.

Appearing before a joint parliamentary committee into the federal election, Mr Rogers conceded that social media made it “much harder” to investigate paid content.

Around 2.7 million people applied to cast their vote via the post in May.

The trend towards postal votes, Mr Rogers said, also made it difficult for the commission to declare close-to-call seats on election night.

Australian Electoral Commission staff sort through votes. Picture: AEC

“Now there are already a large number of bonkers conspiracy theories that run around about the electoral process,” Mr Rogers said.

“As we get into that place where we may not be able to declare a result on the night or where it takes longer to declare the result, those bonkers conspiracy theories really increase.”

Meanwhile, poll workers could be provided with tax-free status under a bold proposal to entice Australians into election-day jobs.

The sweetener would work “just like the army reserve”, but Mr Rogers said Treasury had not been “particularly positive” about the plan.

Mr Rodgers said the AEC faced a “great difficulty” securing the more than 100,000 workers needed in May’s federal election.

He warned the system of the AEC employing workers just weeks out from polling day was “at the end of its productive life”.

Originally published as ‘Chilling’: Influencers’ political posts under microscope at election inquiry