Campaigning during elections

Candidates participating in council, board and committee elections must act honestly and with integrity when campaigning.

• They must ensure that their campaigns and campaign materials are accurate and not misleading and must not involve ANZCA or FPM staff to canvass for votes.

• They are responsible for the actions of their campaign and for their campaign materials, including controlling (where controllable) the materials written about them by third parties.

• They must clearly state in any messages communicated when soliciting members’ votes that they are acting on their own behalf, using their own resources, independent of the college.

• Candidates are permitted to use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media to campaign for votes, however, a disclaimer should be clearly published stating that campaign material expresses the views of the candidate and not the official position of ANZCA or FPM.

• All candidates should be aware of the ANZCA Social Media Policy. This includes references to resources that also represent and guide best practice in using social media for medical professionals.

• Candidates should also refer to the codes of conduct for the Medical Board of Australia (Good Medical Practice - A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia), and the Medical Council of New Zealand (Good Medical Practice).