Australian governments routinely spend public money to spruik their own achievements, especially in the lead up to elections.
A study by the non-aligned public policy think tank the Grattan Institute says: “Abuse of taxpayer-funded advertising is rife.”
State and federal governments spend nearly $450 million each year combined on advertising, more than large private companies such as Harvey Norman, Woolworths and McDonald’s
And nearly $50 million of almost $200 million spent each year by the federal government on advertising goes on politicised campaigns.
The problem is on both sides of politics, at federal and state level. Of the 10 most expensive politicised federal campaigns in the past 13 years, half were approved by Labor governments and half by Coalition governments.
Political parties spent 70% more on advertising this year's federal election than the previous national poll, according to analysis by Nielsen.
In the lead up to the 2019 federal election, the government spent about $85 million of taxpayers’ money on politicised advertising campaigns – about the combined spend by political parties on TV, print, and radio advertising.
The Grattan Institute study: “Weaponising taxpayer-funded advertising for political advantage wastes public money, undermines trust in politicians and democracy, and creates an uneven playing field in elections.
“Australia needs tougher rules and tighter processes at federal and state level to prevent governments from exploiting taxpayer-funded advertising.
“Government advertising campaigns should be allowed only where they are necessary to encourage specific actions or drive behaviour change. Campaigns that promote government policies or programs, without a strong call-to-action, should be prohibited.”
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