In a relatively short period of time, social media have grown to become a major part of public conversation, news consumption and electoral campaigning. It is therefore important and timely for the Victorian Parliament to consider what impacts social media are having on elections and what (if anything) needs to be done in response.

This inquiry has given the Electoral Matters Committee the chance to consider these issues on behalf of the Parliament. The committee’s conclusion is that the government needs to take action. This report sets out a suite of measures aimed at reducing the harms of social media on the electoral environment.