The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has confirmed it will not place any voting information advertisements in local community newspapers across Melbourne ahead of the upcoming federal election, sparking outrage from local publishers and community leaders.
The decision means crucial details about where and how to vote will be absent from dozens of free local community newspapers that serve Melbourne’s diverse and often disadvantaged outer suburbs.
The AEC claims that information for these areas will be “covered by the metro papers.” However, this ignores the fundamental role local community newspapers such as Star Weekly play in reaching culturally and linguistically diverse communities, newly settled residents, and those who may not access or trust mainstream media.
“Our democracy relies on everyone knowing how to vote correctly and being informed about their options,” said democracy campaigner at the Australian Democracy Network,
Ray Yoshida.
“Local community newspapers can be a vital source of trustworthy information, so it’s surprising to hear that the AEC has cut election advertising to these outlets.
“Given a number of seats in Melbourne’s west could decide the election outcome, why is the AEC cutting down on advertising in local papers that serve those areas? These voters – including many first-time voters – need more information about the electoral process, not less.”
Star Weekly managing director Paul Thomas said the move was discriminatory and undermined democratic values.
“The AEC’s decision effectively disenfranchises the very communities who need support the most. Our local community newspapers are trusted, local voices—cutting them out of the electoral process is indefensible,” he said.
Many publishers of local community newspapers have expressed frustration at the AEC’s unwillingness to reconsider the move, noting that fringe suburbs are home to large populations of migrants, elderly voters, and young first-time voters—groups traditionally under-represented at the ballot box.
Community groups and media organisations are calling on the AEC to reverse its decision and include local community newspapers in its election advertising campaigns, ensuring every Australian has fair and equal access to voting information.
Requests for clarification from the AEC were not answered directly.
