The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has confirmed it will not be placing 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.
For Star Mail, this includes its urban publications, including the Lilydale Star Mail and Ferntree Gully-Belgrave Star Mail, as well as a further nine Star News Group publications across the outer fringe of Melbourne.
The AEC claims that information for these areas will be “covered by the metro papers.” However, this ignores the fundamental role local community newspapers play in reaching culturally and linguistically diverse communities, newly settled residents, and those who may not access or trust mainstream media.
Former journalist and immediate past president of the Lilydale Historical Society Sue Thompson said she was “stunned” the AEC would not be advertising essential information about polling booths and elections in “local, grassroots media”.
“So many people rely on their local newspapers for local information, events, and information about their local members – federal, state and local government,” she said.
“If it is good enough for our federal, state and local government representatives to advertise and receive publicity it is good enough for the AEC to publish info about the local federal election and the local candidates. Not to do so is disenfranchising thousands of voters.”
Star News Group 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.
The AEC confirmed it had a “a national, multi-channel” advertising approach across television, press, radio, digital and social media, as well as in metro, rural, regional, and community publications.
It also noted its community education sessions held in various languages and online information sessions running until 2 May, alongside interpreter and accessible services for disadvantaged groups.
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 taken on notice and said to be passed onto the relevant staff for review.
Local Democracy Matters
Star News Group and its affiliated local community newspapers across Melbourne will continue to advocate for transparent, accessible election information. We believe every voter—no matter where they live—deserves to be informed and empowered to participate in our democracy.
