Bills

Electoral (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

Committee Stage

In committee (resumed on motion).

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Welcome to the students. As a point of clarification, the Australian Conservatives will support the Hon. Mr Darley's amendment, but should it fail (and I suspect it will) we will support the government's amendment.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Hello to the young person behind me, as well. The Dignity Party will be supporting the amendment from the Hon. Mr Darley; that is, to have it made clear at the beginning of the robocall. I have to stop myself from saying RoboCop. Perhaps that would be one way to get more engagement in the political system: if RoboCop went round to everyone's house. We agree that it should be made clear at the beginning of the robocall that it is a call that is political in nature.

In addition to what members have already said about the way in which phone calls differ from television advertising, there are a couple of other points that I would make. Firstly, I think it is easier to tell from TV advertising that it is an advertisement that is political in nature because you have visuals. You might have a shiny new hospital or something in the background. Jay Weatherill might be looking outraged about something, or Steven Marshall might be looking outraged about another thing. I think it is easier, from those visuals, to gain context about the fact that this is a political advertisement. Secondly, I think it is reasonable that most people would expect that calls they receive to their personal telephone, be it a landline or mobile, are personal in nature. Therefore, I think it is reasonable to expect that it be made clear from the outset if that is not the case.

We can also draw parallels from other cold calls that we might receive, for example, from a charity. Amnesty International is one example that springs to mind. To my recollection, they always make it clear from the outset that, 'This is Kelly calling from Amnesty International. I am calling to ask you for money for the following cause.' Therefore, I am clear on what is being asked of me and I am able to make a decision from the outset whether or not I have the time to sit on the other end of that call. But if it is not clear and I have to listen the whole way through to make the decision, I might have made a different decision had I known from the outset that it was a call that was political or seeking donations. That is why we think it should be made clear from the outset so that people can make that choice as to whether they want to continue with the call or not.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: I have a very quick question on notice. I will not delay this vote; we know where it is going. Does the Do Not Call Register apply to political parties or even to third parties who are campaigning? I understand it applies if you are selling insurance or a new mobile phone plan, but does it apply to political parties?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I am getting some half-hearted nods. I am happy to go away and find out a definitive answer for the honourable member on that particular question.

The Hon. J.A. Darley's amendment negatived; the Hon. K.J. Maher's amendment carried; new clause inserted.

Progress reported; committee to sit again.