Social media statements by Ministers attach authorisations and author’s names

Eligibility - Queensland citizens
Principal Petitioner:
Gary Duffy
723 Clarendon Road
CLARENDON QLD 4311
Total Signatures - 704
Sponsoring Member: The Clerk of the Parliament
Posting Date: 15/3/2023
Closing Date: 9/6/2023
Tabled Date: 13/6/2023
Responded By: Hon Mark Bailey MP on 13/7/2023
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House, some minister’s and mayor’s social media accounts appear to be operated by persons or artificial intelligence rather than the minister or mayor.

Social media statements by ministers and mayors are official statements. Ministers and mayors are “Public Authorities” have powers to give directions, make lawful directions and delegate powers. When a minister or mayor delegates a function, this should be officially recorded. Statements by ministers and mayors have the ability to affect markets and lives of Queenslanders. If people other than the minister or mayor are operating posting or publishing content on social media, as stand-ins for the minister or mayor, these persons should be included as authors of the content.

If the minister or mayor has approved someone to post content or any statement on their behalf, then the minister or mayor should identify before parliament and councils on whom this ability has been delegated. Posts and comments by the ministers and mayors which feature political content, may also not contain compliant authorisations, including the author of the content.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call on the House to ensure that:

1.  all publications by ministers and mayors carry the author's name and authorisations if content is not by the hand of the minister or mayor; and

2.  whoever is authorised to publish on behalf of a minister or mayor is an officially delegated authority and that this is on a public register.