Polling day press ban lifted at last, allowing newspapers to report political news on election day

The ban on newspapers and their websites reporting on any Tasmanian election on polling day has been lifted.

Tasmanian newspapers and their websites will now be allowed to report on election news on polling day. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE ban on newspapers and their websites reporting on any Tasmanian election on polling day has been lifted.

The Upper House on Thursday night agreed with the House of Assembly’s recent decision to strike out the legislated ban that prevented newspapers — and newspapers only — from reporting on any issue or candidate on the day people voted.

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No vote needed to be taken on Thursday night, with the change being passed uncontested.

The Mercury last year raised national awareness of the Tasmania-only ban when on election day last year we published a front page apologising to our readers for the fact we were not able to cover the election. The ban meant the Mercury was not able to cover the election-eve revelations about the Liberal Party’s controversial firearms policy.

Page 1 of the Mercury on Election day 2018.

Radio, television and social media were not affected.

Attorney-General Elise Archer on Thursday night said the amendment would “pave the way to modernise and streamline the electoral process for all Tasmanians”.

“A significant aspect of this reform is the removal of the election day newspaper coverage ban, which has been widely supported by stakeholders and the broader community,” Ms Archer said.

“Importantly, the passing of the legislation provides the opportunity for the ban to be removed ahead of the Legislative Council elections in May.”

But Hobart MLC Rob Valentine — who opposed the amendment but said he had elected to not force it to a vote — said he believed the blackout allowed people to have “clear space to vote without distractions”.

“I think it might end up discriminating some political parties depending on how the press choose to run their articles,” Mr Valentine said.

He said that unlike other forms of media, “there’s not much choice for newspaper readers” in Tasmania.

There are three daily newsapers in Tasmania, and the ban also covered The Australian.

The next change to the Electoral Act will relate to reform of political donations declarations. A public consultation period on those changes ends on April 15.