Electoral Communications

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Australia (CCLA) prides itself on its non-partisan approach towards climate policy. We consider that the longevity of any climate solution hinges upon our engagement with people from the full political spectrum. This Electoral Communications Policy has been prepared to guide CCLA’s volunteers and members on Australian electoral laws and communicate CCLA’s approach towards elections more generally.

1. Electoral Communications

An electoral communication is a matter communicated, or intended to be communicated, for the dominant purpose of influencing the way electors vote in an election. This includes, but is not limited to, a communication that expressly promotes or opposes a candidate, political party, member or Senator.

Electoral communications may only be made if they are authorised by a ‘notifying entity’ in accordance with the Australian electoral laws. This is to ensure that certain processes are adhered to in the electoral communications to maintain transparency during elections. Notably, a notifying entity must ensure that certain particulars are included in all electoral communications - the oft-seen “authorised by …..”.

2. CCLA’s position

CCLA asks its volunteers and members not to prepare or distribute any electoral communications containing CCLA’s name or logo. The reasons for this are:

CCLA does not wish to create a perception of partisanship.
Electoral communications may undermine our existing relationships with some MPs; and
CCLA does not currently have the resources to ensure that the Australian electoral laws are correctly followed in all electoral communications.

We understand how passionate our volunteers and members are about the climate . We encourage you to continue meeting and communicating with their your MPs in the run up to the election.

It may be especially worthwhile meeting and communicating with candidates for election, especially those with some prospect of success. That will give us a head start with them should they be successful.