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AAP
AAP
Politics
Ethan James

Video censored after complaint over premier's photo

An image of Premier Jeremy Rockliff is at the centre of an online upset after the TEC intervened. (Rob Blakers/AAP PHOTOS)

A satirical video criticising Tasmania's major parties has been censored and removed from social media after a complaint about the use of a photo of the premier. 

The "Honest Government Ad" by The Juice Media takes aim at Liberal government decisions and Labor policies in the lead-up to Saturday's state election. 

The outlet said it received a take-down notice from the Tasmanian Electoral Commission following a complaint the video had breached the state's Electoral Act by using a photo of Premier Jeremy Rockliff. 

An email from the electoral commission shared by the company noted the video was a "likely advertisement" and it should either be taken down or not include Mr Rockliff's photo.

The email noted it is an offence to publish an advertisement on the internet containing a photograph, or the likeness, of a candidate at an election without their written consent. 

The company has removed the video from its social media while it prepares a response and has posted an amended video on YouTube blurring Mr Rockliff's face.

The email said the penalty for breaching the Act is a fine of up to $58,500 or a maximum 12 months in jail.

Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey told ABC radio the video technically breached the Act. 

"That video has a one second or so image of the premier ... it does that without his consent from what I'm aware," he said. 

Mr Hawkey said the relevant part of the Act was quite old and related to the state's unique Hare-Clark voting system. 

"It was about stopping how-to-vote cards where a party could disadvantage others inside it," he said.

"These sections were written well before social media and (the) internet ... it's a much more complicated environment in the social media area."

Attorney-General Guy Barnett said the clause in the Act was outdated and the Liberals had tried to remove it. 

"Unfortunately, this move was blocked by the Legislative Council," he said.

"We continue to be of the view that Section 196 is an anachronism, and if re-elected we will again seek to have it removed."

Opinion polls point to the Liberals getting more seats than Labor but not enough to govern in majority. 

An early election was called after the Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, couldn't resolve a stand-off in minority with two cross bench independents.

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