ACT Restrictions on Government Campaigns During Commonwealth Pre-Election Periods

Government Agencies (Campaign Advertising) Amendment Bill 2025

Private Member's Bill

4 Dec 2025: A parliamentary committee is reviewing this bill and can call for public submissions, before reporting back to parliament — this can take up to six months.

Introduced by: Andrew Braddock (GRN)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Government agencies cannot run campaigns during a Commonwealth pre-election period; they must get approval from the Chief Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and other registered party leaders first.
Government campaigns cannot have a party political purpose; they cannot promote the government.
Campaigns cannot mention proposed government programs, policies, or laws; the only exception is for public consultation.
Content has a party political purpose if it promotes government achievements to help a party's reputation; this includes naming members of the Legislative Assembly or using party branding.
The Reviewer must prepare a report on campaign activity starting the day after a pre-election period ends and finishing on 31 December.

Topics

election integrity government accountability government advertising political campaigns public spending