Council poll rule fiasco
TASMANIAN voters will face a barrage of political advertising in the lead-up to the October local government election with the lifting of restrictions on TV, radio and print.
But candidates are confused and have been left scrambling to adjust their campaigns with changes to the Local Government (General) Regulations 2015 effective from August 1.
Three versions of the candidates handbook have been released since May, with the third version only released on the Tasmanian Electoral Commission website yesterday.
The main changes from version one to three appear to be: THE $8000 advertising cap is now the same for everyone running for councillor, alderman, deputy mayor or mayor. Previously there was a $5000 limit for councillors and aldermen. ALL campaign advertising used during the “relevant period” now includes TV, radio, print, flyers, letters, signs, posters, how-to-vote cards and internet advertising. Previously only TV, radio and newspaper ads were included. THE relevant period is from August 9 to October 30.
Kingborough deputy mayor candidate Jo Westwood said the changes had been poorly communicated.
“We had already engaged someone to do some work for us and I have had to go back to them and renegotiate the scope and price of that work,” she said.
The Local Government Association of Tasmania website still had a link to the outdated May version yesterday.
The 10-minute TV and 50minute radio advertising restriction as well as a two-page limit on daily newspaper adverts have also been lifted.
Hobart deputy mayor candidate Louise Bloomfield asked how candidates could plan their campaign when the rules kept changing.
“We have been disadvantaged before we have started,” she said. “There’s massive confusion because we have had conversations with TV and radio advert executives and put together a plan but we have to now start from scratch.”
Electoral Commissioner An- drew Hawkey said candidates had to account for advertising expenditure pertaining to the relevant period.
“You may have printed flyers and paid $1000 for it today but you have to include the cost in your declaration,” he said.
Mr Hawkey said he was concerned that “not all intending candidates were aware of the changes”. Candidates can face penalties of up to $16,000 for exceeding the $8000 limit.