New electoral reforms should include truth in advertising and be brought to the Senate in the next sitting period said Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown today.
The Greens support measures in new legislation for electoral reform introduced into the House of Representatives today including giving voters more time to enrol after an election is called.
"This legislation will enfranchise hundreds of thousands of first-time voters and should be passed as soon as possible to ensure changes are made before the coming federal election," said Senator Brown.
"But the Government has missed a critical opportunity to introduce truth in advertising measures.
"The Greens will accordingly be moving an amendment in the Senate to require truth in political advertising.
"We need truth in advertising measures in relation to elections so that voters are not deceived on their way to the ballot box.
"John Howard removed almost all regulations for political advertising so now people can attack candidates or parties at election time using lies and deception.
"With a federal election coming soon, this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency."