Research exploring Australians’ experiences of election misinformation in the lead up to the 2025 federal election reveals insights into how respondents reacted to misinformation as well as their views on truth in political advertising laws and how governments and platforms should respond to misinformation. The findings show election misinformation was common.

This submission is based on research on political disinformation and advertising on WeChat, RedNote and Chinese-language YouTube channels during the 2025 Australian federal election. The findings uncover the challenges in electoral regulation and enforcement, particularly concerning political advertising and disinformation that may undermine Australia’s electoral integrity. The submission provides four recommendations.

Truth in political advertising laws seek to protect the integrity of the electoral process from the growing threat of disinformation. This report argues in favour of expanding the laws, finding they are effective and especially appropriate in the Australian context of compulsory voting.

This paper outlines the state of the Australian information environment in comparison to other countries, focusing on the perceived threat of misinformation and disinformation on public information quality. It examines the scale, nature, spread and effects of misinformation in democracies, identifying key lessons and recommendations.

Truth in political advertising (TiPA) laws seek to protect the integrity of the electoral process from the growing threat of disinformation. This interim report examines the effect, operation, and administration of existing laws as well as the perceived impact in areas where they are not yet in place.