Political parties and candidates will be prohibited from campaigning or displaying election materials at hospitals, childcare centres, aged care facilities, prisons and public offices under the Limitations on Election Campaign Rules 2026.
The rules, adopted by the Electoral Commission on April 24, also prohibit campaigning at public libraries and during official duties performed by public servants and Members of Parliament.
The restrictions apply to both public and private facilities, including their surrounding grounds, car parks and areas extending to the boundaries of the premises.
Under the rules, campaigning and the placement of campaign materials are prohibited at childcare centres, early childhood facilities, hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and detention centres.
The ban also covers premises of public offices as defined under Section 163(1) of the 2013 Constitution.
The Electoral Commission has further prohibited campaigning during events where public servants or Members of Parliament are performing their official duties.
This includes events at which one or more Members of Parliament are speakers or presenters.
The rules state that the restrictions apply regardless of whether the premises are owned or leased, or shared with other occupants or facilities not otherwise covered by the prohibition.
Public libraries are also included in the restrictions, with campaigning and campaign materials prohibited within their premises and surrounding grounds.
However, the rules preserve the Supervisor of Elections’ authority to designate public places for the placement of campaign materials under Section 112(3) of the Act.
The restrictions are additional to the existing limitations on election campaigning contained in Part 4 of the Act.
The measures establish boundaries on where political parties, candidates and their supporters may conduct campaign activities and display election materials.
