Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Brown for the question. I am aware of the article that appeared in Adelaide’s Sunday Mailand it may have been in the Herald Sun also—which featured a claim that an advertisement featuring Dr Tim Flannery was censored by Commercials Advice Ltd, which is a division of Free TV Australia. It is alleged in the article that Dr Flannery opened a commercial for solar panels by saying, ‘Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity today.’ As the senator may be aware, Commercials Advice Ltd reviews all commercials broadcast on commercial free-to-air television and ensures that the advertisements adhere to applicable legislation, including the Trade Practices Act, where statements are not permitted to be made that are false and misleading or likely to mislead and deceive.

I have sought the advice of Free TV Australia on this matter. At the time that my advice was sought, Free TV had stated that the SolarShop commercials had not been rejected. As you quite rightly say, Senator Brown, there has been a subsequent decision. Commercials Advice had at the time sought clarification from SolarShop on a number of issues to ensure that such statements would not be false, misleading or deceptive. Free TV has stated that discussions with SolarShop continued and in fact were successful. Clearance of the advertisement was then given. I think that comprehensively deals with your question.