Under Section 79A of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983, the ABC may determine, subject to the Act, to what extent and in what manner it will broadcast political matter. The ABC Board has determined that free broadcasting time shall be allocated to political parties during election campaigns for announcements of party policy. The criteria for eligibility are available in the ABC Board's policy statement. Production Guidelines are issued for each federal, state and territory election and provided to parties eligible for an allocation of free broadcast time.
The Election Coverage Review Committee (ECRC) is constituted each time a federal, state or territory election is called and supervises the allocation of free broadcast time on radio and television for eligible political parties. It also monitors and advises on election coverage in accordance with the Editorial Policies. Guidance for staff is made available during the course of each election.
Production Guidelines for Free Election Broadcasts
ECRC Chair's Reports:
- ABC Coverage of the 2022 Federal Election - June 2022 (PDF)
- ABC Coverage of the 2019 Federal Election - August 2019 (PDF)
- ABC Coverage of the 2016 Federal Election - August 2016 (PDF)
- ABC Coverage of the 2013 Federal Election - October 2013 (PDF)
- ABC Coverage of the 2010 Federal Election - October 2010 (PDF)
- ABC Coverage of the 2007 Federal Election - February 2008 (PDF)
The Referendum Coverage Review Committee (RCRC) is constituted each time a referendum is held. It plays a similar monitoring and advisory role, and has a similar composition, to the ECRC.