The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has finalised its review into Abbie Chatfield’s recent podcast epsiodes and social media content, concluding that her political content does not require an authorisation under electoral law.
The podcast episodes and social media posts in question featured interviews with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt.
The review was first launched after Liberal Senator Jane Hume raised concerns about collaborative posts and podcasts between politicians and social media influencers during Senate Estimates.
Currently, under Australian electoral law, authorisation messages are legally required on political content from someone communicating an electoral or political matter. News media is excluded from this requirement.
In a statement provided to Women’s Agenda this afternoon, an AEC spokesperson said: “Based on the facts as we currently understand them, the AEC found that this communication does not require an authorisation statement.”
“While the podcasts in question could be viewed as being made for purpose of influencing how someone casts their vote, there is no evidence that there was a monetary benefit for the podcaster as a result of either Mr Albanese or Mr Bandt being invited onto the show,” the statement said.
“It appears that the invitations to Mr Albanese or Mr Bandt to participate were voluntary. In addition, questions put to both interviewees were sourced from the podcast’s audience. There is no evidence that either Mr Albanese or Mr Bandt had creative control in relation to the questions that were asked.”
The AEC concluded that the It’s A Lot podcast episodes and corresponding social media posts were not paid advertising and were not considered to be communicated by or on behalf of a candidate or party.
“This content does not require authorisation,” it said.
Chatfield, a TV host and podcaster, has a large social media following, with 532,000 followers on Instagram alone. She has been outspoken about her support for progressive politics, especially her support for The Greens. She recently hosted a DJ event with Greens leader Adam Bandt.
The AEC said it was making the outcome of its review public “out of fairness” to Chatfield, given the extensive media coverage of the issue.
In its statement, the AEC noted the rising role of social media influencers in informing and educating the public about politics and the electoral system, and offered advice on when a communication should be authorised.