New research by the Australia Institute has revealed more than 60 per cent of 'No' voters expressed concerns about misinformation and disinformation on social media during the referendum campaign.
The Australia Institute's exit poll shows that an overwhelming 90 per cent of Australians support truth in political advertising laws, regardless of their vote in the referendum or political affiliations.
More than 80 per cent of this group advocates for the implementation of truth in political advertising laws before the expected 2025 federal election.
These findings highlight the need for the federal parliament to emulate South Australia and the ACT in enacting laws to safeguard voters from deceptive and harmful electoral conduct.
Executive Director of the Australia Institute, Dr Richard Denniss said "misinformation and disinformation swamped the referendum campaign with arguments that often had little to do with what Australians were being asked to vote on".
"Whether it is an election or a referendum, voters should go to the polls armed with the facts. In Australia, it is perfectly legal to lie in a political ad – and it shouldn't be," Dr Denniss said.
"If Australia is going to have a healthy democracy, we need to have healthy democratic debates."
Nine in 10 (87 per cent) of Australians support truth in political advertising laws for the upcoming federal election campaign, with only 4 per cent in disagreement.
Notably, both 'Yes' and 'No' voters for the Voice resoundingly endorse this idea, with 92 per cent and 83 per cent respectively in agreement.
The research also reveals that 72 per cent of Australians express concerns about the prevalence of lies and misinformation on social media during the referendum campaign, while only 17 par cent disagree.
Furthermore, 72 per cent of respondents believe it is now the responsibility of the Albanese Government to devise solutions for closing the gap, while 47 per cent feel this responsibility lies with the 'No' campaigners.
"Journalists, academics, peak multicultural bodies and civil society groups have called out the systematic, deliberate misleading advertising that tainted the referendum debate," Dr Denniss said.
"There is talk of the major parties voting together to increase the public funding they get – but there should be no increase in public funding while that money can be used to fund lies and untruths.
"South Australia has had working truth in political advertising laws for almost forty years. The ACT unanimously adopted truth in political advertising: Labor, the Liberals and the Greens came together to say 'enough is enough'. It is time for federal politicians to draw a line under the divisive, misleading claims that have marred the referendum and recent federal elections."
