Broadcasting (Repeal of Part 6) Amendment Bill
Member's Bill
Explanatory note
This bill amends the Broadcasting Act 1989 to remove the additional restrictions imposed on radio and television advertising election programmes. The regulation of election advertising under the Electoral Act is now sufficient to meet concerns around advertising transparency and spending limits. In addition, the ban on small parties using their own funds to purchase radio and TV advertising, while the major parties get large amounts of tax funding is detrimental to free and fair elections. The current restrictions pre-date the enactment of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and are removed by the bill because they cannot be justified in a free and democratic society.
This bill repeals sections Part 6 of the Broadcasting Act.
Broadcasting (Repeal of Part 6) Amendment Bill
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1. Title
This Act is the Broadcasting (Repeal of Part 6) Amendment Act 2024.
2. Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3. Principal Act amended
This Act amends the Broadcasting Act 1989.
4. Part 6 repealed
Repeal Part 6.
5. Other amendments to principal Act
The principal Act is amended in the manner indicated in Schedule 1.
6. Amendments to Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Act 1993 is amended in the manner indicated in Schedule 2.
Schedule 1 s 5
Other amendments to principal Act
Long title
Omit paragraph (d)
Section 2
Omit paragraph (d)(iii) in the definition of advertising programme.
Repeal the definition of election programme.
Section 8
Repeal subsection (1).
Repeal subsection (1C)
Section 21
Omit paragraph (1)(b).
Schedule 2 s 6
Amendments to Electoral Act 1993
Section 5
Omit paragraph (b).
Section 206
Repeal the definition of allocation.
Omit paragraph (c) of the definition of election expenses.
Section 206IA
Repeal section 206IA.
