South Australia's ban on political corflutes has significantly impacted voter awareness of a by-election last year, according to a report by the state's electoral commission. It's prompted the commission to re-think it's advertising strategy but the AEC isn't concerned about the effects on a federal scale.
00:00It was once a clear sign an election had been called, but this year was different.
00:07Rather than being really in your face, it was a bit more laid back.
00:11Major parties voted to ban call flutes in SA last year, saying they create unnecessary pollution.
00:16The change was enforced during this year's federal election.
00:19I think social media was really good for replacing that.
00:23I think you'd have to be living under a rock not to know about it.
00:26But the South Australian Electoral Commission is worried the ban might have significantly impacted some voters' awareness of the Dunstan by-election in Adelaide's eastern suburbs last March.
00:35A survey showed 27% of voters were less aware of the by-election without call flutes, while 37% of non-voters had the same view.
00:45The results are cause for concern for those who argue call flutes help raise awareness, especially in by-elections.
00:51It just does support the idea we need call flutes to have them on the side of the road to let people know there is an election on and these are your candidates.
00:59There has been quite a lot of discussion with the Electoral Commissioner about what can be done in an ever-changing media environment to publicise and make sure people are aware that an election's on.
01:10The call flute ban doesn't seem to have affected federal voters.
01:14The Australian Electoral Commission says turnout increased slightly in SA this year.
01:18The commission says call flutes are a matter for state governments and local councils.
