The creators of a viral “Honest Government Ad” featuring key Tasmanian issues ahead of the state election have been handed a takedown notice following a complaint.
The video by ‘Juice Media’ racked up more than 340,000 views on YouTube before being criticised for potentially violating the Tasmanian Electoral Act.
“So we got a takedown notice from the Tas Electoral Commission after *somebody* complained that our latest Honest Govt Ad breached the Electoral Act by showing a photo of the Premier, in the lead up to the election,” Juice Media wrote on Twitter/X.
“You can go to jail for that in Tassie. Cool and normal.”
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission deemed the video “an offence” under the Electoral Act, as it featured the likeness of Liberal Leader “Jeremy Rockliffe”.
“The Electoral Commissioner is of the view that this video is likely an advertisement and therefore requests either Mr Rockliffe’s photo is removed from it, or that the video is taken as soon as possible, to ensure compliance with the legislation,” the TEC said.
The email mentioned a fine of $5,850 or a maximum of 12 months’ imprisonment, or both, as potential consequences if the video was not rectified.
Juice Media have since altered the YouTube video to comply with the legislation and blurred out Rockliff’s image.
Speaking to ABC Radio on Wednesday morning, Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said the legislation was written in then 80’s and relates to Tasmania’s unique Hare-Clark voting system.
“We’ve had a plethora of parties that have, in different ads however that occurred, that have appeared to breach this section and all of them have taken things down when we’ve approached them,” he said.
