Tasmanian review of political donations, media blackouts set to begin

THIS Saturday’s Legislative Council elections could be the last conducted under Tasmania’s outdated laws.

Premier Will Hodgman says the recent election highlighted that some provisions in the Electoral Act and associated election laws have failed to keep pace with rapid changes in technology, social media and community expectations. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

PREMIER Will Hodgman has announced a review of political donations rules and archaic laws that can land newspaper staff in jail for publishing stories about politics on election day.

The Departments of Justice and Premier and Cabinet will jointly conduct the review, which could mean this Saturday’s Legislative Council elections are the last conducted under outdated laws.

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“This is a responsible action following any state election and will ensure our democratic processes are contemporary and in-line with changing community expectations,” Mr Hodgman said.

The inquiry will consider:

MODERNISING rules around authorisation, newspaper blackouts and the use of candidates’ names and images;

STATE-BASED disclosure rules for political donations, and;

REGULATION of third party electoral spending.

An interim report is expected in six months with the final version due in 12 months.

Tasmania relies on federal rules on political donations, meaning this year’s amounts will not be disclosed until February 2019.

The donations issue exploded during the recent election campaign, when pro-gaming advertising saturated the airwaves in opposition to Labor’s policy of removing poker machines from pubs and clubs.

MORE: TASMANIA’S OUTDATED ELECTORAL LAWS UNDER REVIEW

Spending by businesses such as the Federal Group will come under the spotlight, along with union spending on Labor campaigns, Mr Hodgman said.

Newspaper breaches of the state’s Electoral Act can result in a fine of $15,900 or three months’ jail for publishers.

Tasmania is the only state to persist with such a law, which does not apply to electronic or social media.

The Mercury published a front page apologising to readers for its inability to cover politics on election day in March.

MORE: AN APOLOGY TO OUR READERS

The front page gained national attention from other media outlets including the ABC and Sky News, as well as independent senator and former radio host Derryn Hinch.

MORE: NEWSPAPER ELECTION-DAY COVERAGE BAN IS SHAMEFUL, SAYS HINCH

Labor also pledged to review electoral laws during the campaign.

Written submissions will be invited from Tasmanians, Mr Hodgman said.

“The election highlighted that some provisions in the Electoral Act and associated election laws have failed to keep pace with rapid changes in technology, social media and community expectations,” he said.

“It is important we take this opportunity to listen to Tasmanians and ensure we have a robust, democratic and fair electoral system that reflects Tasmania today.”