Independents slam carbon tax campaign

By By David Blight | 19 July 2011
 
Clean Energy Future campaign by Smart Melbourne.

The Gillard Government's $12 million carbon tax campaign, which launched on Sunday, has been slammed, as support for Gillard and the carbon tax continues to slide.

Independent MP Tony Windsor, whose support is critical to the Gillard Government's power, has said the current carbon tax advertising campaign is a waste of taxpayers money. 

"I question the effectiveness of such campaigns and personally think it's a waste of money."

However, he has also chastised the opposition for their criticism of the Gillard Government.

"Both sides use taxpayer funds to promote their programs when in Government ... The previous Howard Coalition Government and the now the Gillard Labor Government have used taxpayer dollars to get their message across to the community.

"So the hand on heart indignation of the Opposition to the Government having access to taxpayer dollars to fund such campaigns should be seen just as cynically perhaps as the promotion being undertaken itself."

Meanwhile, Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has also said the campaign is a waste of taxpayer's money.

"I have long been opposed to the use of taxpayers money funding what are effectively party political ads. It was wrong when the Coalition did it with Workchoices and it is wrong for the Government to be doing it now on the price of carbon.

"I have a private senators bill that will outlaw these sorts of campaigns. This current campaign isn't about a government explaining how a law which has been passed will work, this campaign is about using taxpayer dollars to convince the public and politicians to support Labor policy. That is not a valid use of taxpayer funds."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has defended the campaign, saying in an interview with the Nine Network on the weekend, "We've been very upfront with people that there would be twelve million dollars of television advertising and another thirteen million dollars allocated to getting people the information they need ... There has been a lot of fear around, a lot of misconceptions so we want to get to people the accurate information they need to prepare for this change."

The news comes as popularity for the Gillard Government and the carbon tax continue to slide. According to Roy Morgan, only 37% of Australians support the government's carbon tax while 58% do not. 

Roy Morgan figures also indicate that the Liberal National party has a record lead over Labor, with 60.5% approval rating compared to Labor's 39.5%. 

The government launched its $12 million campaign on Sunday. An additional $13 million has also been set aside for a public information campaign. The campaign features real people discussing Australia's "Clean Energy Future".

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