A Senate committee has offered to receive reports of offensive campaign material relating to the same-sex marriage survey.
Neo-Nazis have been distributing posters across cities depicting a child cowering below two people brandishing rainbow belts, citing research linking same-sex relationships to higher levels of abuse.
Because the marriage survey is being run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics it is not covered by many of the rules which normally govern election campaign material.
As well, the Advertising Standards Board says it won’t consider complaints about ads relating to the poll because it considers them to be political advertising not covered by its ambit.
Labor senator Jenny McAllister, who is chairing an inquiry into the survey, says she’s already seeing “hateful” examples of campaign material that does not meet the standard of respectful debate.
She says any concerned individuals or organisations should get in touch with the Senate finance and public administration committee at Parliament House to report any offensive, misleading or intimidating campaign material or behaviour.
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