The Quick Guide helps to answer the commonly asked questions during an election campaign and on polling day. It is not a comprehensive explanation of electoral law on campaigning. Readers should consult this booklet, the electoral and referendum legislation and take their own legal advice when in doubt. The Electoral Commission is also willing to discuss any problem.
Topic | Third parties can |
| Election and referendum advertising - radio and television | - Broadcast an advertisement that relates to an election, such as for or against a policy (provided it is not an election programme),
- Broadcast an advertisement that encourages voters to vote, or not to vote, in a particular way in the referendum (provided it is not an election programme).
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Election and referendum advertising - (other than television and radio)
| - Support a candidate or party with the written authorisation of the candidate or party,
- Attack the policies of candidates or parties,
- Support voting in a particular way in the referendum,
- Attack voting in a particular way in the referendum,
- Operate a website on polling day.
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Election expenses
| - Spend without limit on election advertising published prior to the regulated period,
- Unregistered promoters can spend up to $12,000 (incl GST) on election expenses during the regulated period,
- Registered promoters can spend up to $300,000 (incl GST) on election expenses in the regulated period.
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| Referendum expenses | - Spend without limit on referendum advertising prior to the regulated period,
- Unregistered promoters can spend up to $12,000 (incl GST) on referendum expenses during the regulated period,
- Registered promoters can spend up to $300,000 (incl GST) on referendum expenses in the regulated period.
|
Topic | Third parties can't |
Election and referendum advertising - radio and television | - Broadcast election programmes,
- Support or attack candidates or parties,
- Broadcast without including their name and street address,
- Broadcast on polling day.
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Election and referendum advertising - (other than television and radio) | - Publish without including their name and street address,
- Publish on polling day,
- Display in view of a public place on polling day,
- Display on vehicles (including bumper stickers) in view of a public place on polling day,
- Put new material on a website on polling day, advertise a website on polling day or use systems on polling day that make website advertising available to persons who have not voluntarily accessed the website.
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| Election expenses | - Unregistered promoters can’t spend more than $12,000 (incl GST) on election expenses during the regulated period,
- Registered promoters can’t spend more than $300,000 (incl GST) on election expenses during the regulated period.
|
| Referendum expenses | - Unregistered promoters can’t spend more than $12,000 (incl GST) on referendum expenses during the regulated period,
- Registered promoters can’t spend more than $300,000 (incl GST) on referendum expenses during the regulated period.
|
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