Editor's note

Fact-checking is the kind of job you might wish didn’t need to exist. But 2018 provided yet more proof this once-niche, but quickly-growing, form of public interest journalism plays a vital role in keeping our information ecosystem healthy, and holding our nation’s leaders to account.

This year, The Conversation’s expert FactCheck authors and blind reviewers checked claims that went to the heart of key policy debates and social issues – including energy policy, corporate tax cuts, population, the economy and aged care – and central campaign messages for the Tasmanian, South Australian and Victorian state elections.

Of the 17 claims checked in the 10 FactChecks listed below, the majority were found to be incorrect, a significant exaggeration, statements not supported by evidence, or a dangerous mixture of fact and fiction.

With the New South Wales and federal elections almost upon us, we must all play our part in looking past the rhetoric to the facts, and making sure that when Australia votes, it’s not a vote swayed by falsehoods.

Can you tell which of these claims is fact or furphy?

Lucinda Beaman

FactCheck Editor

Native title - the legal recognition of Indigenous Australian land rights - is determined under domestic law, not international law. AAP/Tracey Nearmy

FactCheck: can native title ‘only exist if Australia was settled, not invaded’?

Kate Galloway, Bond University

In an article published in the lead up to Australia Day, WA Liberal Party policy committee chairman Sherry Sufi said "native title can only exist if Australia was settled, not invaded". Is that right?

Poker machine reform is at the centre of the upcoming Tasmanian state election. Dan Peled/AAP

FactCheck: are ‘around 5,000 jobs’ at risk if pokies are removed from pubs and clubs in Tasmania?

Fabrizio Carmignani, Griffith University

The Tasmanian Liberal party is promoting gaming industry estimates that 'around 5,000 jobs' would be at risk if poker machines were removed from pubs and clubs in Tasmania. Are the estimates correct?

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill, SA Liberal leader Steven Marshall and SA Best leader Nick Xenophon at a leaders’ debate hosted by the ABC. AAP Image/Morgan Sette

FactCheck: does South Australia have the ‘highest energy prices’ in the nation and ‘the least reliable grid’?

Dylan McConnell, University of Melbourne

SA Liberal Party leader Steven Marshall said that state Labor policy had left South Australians with 'the highest energy prices in Australia' and 'the least reliable grid'. Is that right?

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says Australia has ‘run away rates of immigration’. MICK TSIKAS/AAP

FactCheck: is Australia’s population the ‘highest-growing in the world’?

Liz Allen, Australian National University

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Australia is "the highest-growing country in the world", with population growth "double than a lot of other countries". Is that right?

Shadow minister for finance Jim Chalmers, speaking on Q&A. ABC/Q&A

FactCheck: has Australia’s net debt doubled under the current government?

Mark Crosby, Monash University

Was shadow minister for finance Jim Chalmers correct when he said that under the current Coalition government, net debt had doubled? We asked the experts.

Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

FactCheck: have the Trump tax cuts led to lower unemployment and higher wages?

Fabrizio Carmignani, Griffith University

Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann said corporate tax cuts in the US had led to 'stronger investment, stronger growth, a lower unemployment rate and higher wages'. Let's take a closer look.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the Coalition’s spending on aged care services after announcing a Royal Commission into the sector. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

FactCheck: is the Coalition spending ‘$1 billion extra, every year’ on aged care?

Peter Whiteford, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended the Coalition’s spending on aged care as preparations for a Royal Commission into the sector get underway. We asked the experts to crunch the numbers.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has said Labor MPs disproportionately come from unions. ABC

FactCheck Q&A: have 90% of Labor MPs worked in trade unions?

Ray Markey, Macquarie University

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said "you can’t reflect society if 90% of your members of parliament were chosen from trade unions and worked in trade unions". Let's take a look at the numbers.

At the Victorian Liberal Party election campaign launch, Opposition leader Matthew Guy said Labor had presided over a law and order crisis. AAP Image/James Ross

FactCheck: does Victoria have Australia’s highest rate of crime?

Don Weatherburn, UNSW

Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy said under Premier Daniel Andrews, 'Victoria has won the unenviable title as the state with the country’s highest rate of crime'. Is that right?

Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni announced a $2b housing scheme he said would create more affordable housing in the state. AAP/AARON BUNCH

FactCheck: did more people buy their seventh home than bought their first home last year?

Stephen Whelan, University of Sydney

Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni made the claim while announcing a $2 billion housing investment scheme. But is the claim correct?

 

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