Misinformation in election campaigns and subsequent legal implications

In Australia, it is legal to lie in political advertising for election campaigns. Against the backdrop of the proliferation of social media platforms, and a changing cultural zeitgeist pertaining to trust in institutions, Australia’s electoral laws are becoming unfit for purpose. As recent elections – including this weekend’s Voice referendum – have shown, this needs to urgently change. Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Marque Lawyers partner Kiera Peacock to discuss how and why she became so interested in electoral legal work, the existing issues in Australia’s legal framework in our electoral system, the wave of misinformation produced in election campaigns in Australia, and what lessons can be learnt from the referendum on the proposed Voice to Parliament. Ms Peacock also reflects on the danger of following the examples of electoral misinformation being witnessed in overseas jurisdictions, what legal updates may be necessary moving forward, how best practitioners can help ensure laws are fit for purpose, and why such legal work will be so critical moving forward. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!