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Changes to local government electoral advertising

As a result of legislative changes that apply from 1 August 2018, there have been a number of amendments made to the electoral advertising provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 and Local Government (General) Regulations 2015.

Changes in August 2018

These changes are as follows:

1. the definition of electoral advertising now includes advertising on the internet;

2. the prescription around poster size and the number has been removed;

3. the restrictions around advertising time on the television or radio has been removed; and

4. there is now a singular electoral expenditure limit that will apply to all candidates, regardless of whether they are running for mayor or deputy mayor or councillor:

$16,000 is the expenditure limit for electoral spending in the 2018-19 financial year, for candidates for Clarence City, Glenorchy City, Hobart City, Kingborough and Launceston City councils, based on a significant number of rateable properties in these municipalities.

$10,000 is the expenditure limit for electoral spending in the 2018-19 financial year, for candidates in all other municipal areas.

These limits will be indexed by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each financial year.

Why make the changes?

The changes are to simplify and make more equitable and transparent expenditure on local government elections.

Removing the sub limits on printed advertising, or time on radio and TV means that candidates have flexibility to determine how best they promote themselves, rather than be constrained to sub limits in expenditure categories.

It also makes more transparent all spending on advertising.  Previously not all dollar amounts spent needed to be disclosed.

More information

For more information on electoral advertising refer to the Tasmanian Electoral Commission Information for Candidates 2022 Local Government Elections Booklet.