evidence-led drug and harm reduction
Australia’s drug policy must be grounded in evidence, not ideology. The Australian Centre Party supports a health-first, harm-reduction approach to substance use — one that reduces pressure on the justice system, saves lives, and delivers better outcomes for individuals and communities. We back expanded treatment services, smarter diversion programs, and a review of outdated drug laws based on real-world results. Our policy is tough on harm, not on people.
Protecting truth, strengthening trust, and defending democracy
A healthy democracy depends on an informed public. Yet trust in media has declined, misinformation is spreading faster than ever, and Australians increasingly struggle to separate fact from fiction — especially online. At the same time, political actors and foreign governments have exploited digital platforms to distort public debate.
The Australian Centre Party believes in a principled, balanced approach to media and information reform. We support free, independent journalism — but we also believe platforms, publishers, and public officials must meet clear standards of honesty, transparency, and accountability.
We propose the introduction of a National Disinformation and Transparency Framework, developed in partnership with media organisations, civil society, and technology platforms. This framework would include:
- Mandatory transparency for political advertising, including source disclosure and spending limits across digital platforms
- Clear labelling of AI-generated or manipulated media used in news, advertising, or public communications
- Independent fact-checking standards for public broadcasters and government-funded media
- Support for local and regional journalism, including matched public grants for independent outlets serving underserved communities
We support the establishment of an Independent Media and Information Standards Commission — not a censor, but a watchdog — to oversee systemic issues such as misinformation during elections, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and breaches of public interest broadcasting obligations. This body would report to Parliament, not the executive, to ensure independence from government control.
Importantly, we oppose censorship and overreach. Free expression is a core democratic principle. Our reforms are designed to increase transparency and accountability, not to silence dissent or criminalise opinion. Regulation should be evidence-based, proportionate, and consistent with international human rights standards.
Where the hard Left may support state control or speech codes, and the far Right often dismisses disinformation concerns altogether, we take a centrist path: defend truth without suppressing debate, and protect free media without enabling manipulation.
Australia needs a media ecosystem that is open, resilient, and trusted. The Australian Centre Party will ensure our democracy can withstand the next generation of digital and information threats — without compromising the freedoms that define it.