12 votes

The 'Voice to Parliament' referendum pamphlets for Yes and No camps have been published by the Australian Electoral Commission

ABC news article: Voice to Parliament referendum pamphlets for Yes and No camps published by AEC

On the Australian Electoral Commission's website:

The Sydney Morning Herald / The Age newspapers have provided annotated versions of each pamphlet:

As has been observed in those annotation pages, there is no legal requirement for either of these pamphlets to be truthful or factual, and there is no obligation for the AEC to fact-check them (in fact, the AEC is legally restrained from commenting on those pamphlets in any way - its role is restricted to disseminating those pamphlets, because it must stay neutral).

3 comments

  1. [3]
    AgnesNutter
    Link
    Are the annotated versions worth seeking out? They’re behind a paywall. Wondering if they give decent info beyond the AEC website?

    Are the annotated versions worth seeking out? They’re behind a paywall. Wondering if they give decent info beyond the AEC website?

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Algernon_Asimov
      Link Parent
      I wouldn't stress about it. There's nothing earth-shattering. Most of the notes on the 'No' pamphlet are basically along the lines of "this bit is unclear", "this point is overstated", "they're...

      I wouldn't stress about it. There's nothing earth-shattering.

      Most of the notes on the 'No' pamphlet are basically along the lines of "this bit is unclear", "this point is overstated", "they're stretching the truth here", and "The legal professor who said this says he has been quoted out of context, and he's actually campaigning for the 'Yes' case."

      The notes on the 'Yes' pamphlet are "Yeah, it's really not clear how the Voice will improve Aboriginal people's lives", and "Look how fair we're being by adding notes where we don't need to!"

      Exactly what we would expect, given what we've heard from each side so far.

      But the AEC website only gives the text as provided by each campaign. Any reasonable voter should go elsewhere to read more about the Voice. Noone should trust either campaign's pamphlet to be totally clear and unbiassed. Everyone should do their own research. (Assuming one hasn't already made up one's mind... as I have.)

      3 votes
      1. AgnesNutter
        Link Parent
        Much as I would have expected! SHOCKED to find that the No campaign are being misleading. Thanks for the break down, I appreciate it :) I’ve also made up my mind, just hoping my citizenship...

        Much as I would have expected! SHOCKED to find that the No campaign are being misleading.

        Thanks for the break down, I appreciate it :)

        I’ve also made up my mind, just hoping my citizenship ceremony happens before the vote so I’m actually allowed to cast one. Fingers crossed

        1 vote