| Senator Joe Ludwig Cabinet Secretary Special Minister of State |
The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP Minister for Finance and Deregulation |
39/2009
30 September 2009
The Rudd Government today released the Campaign Advertising by Australian Government Departments and Agencies Full Year Report 2008-09.
The Full Year Report signifies a new level of whole-of-government, consolidated reporting on campaign advertising. It delivers further on the Rudd Government’s commitment to increase accountability and transparency of campaign expenditure. Most notably, the report details expenditure associated with advertising fees and production, direct mail, public relations and research and evaluation activities.
The Full Year Report discloses that during 2008 09 media placement expenditure was $130 million by FMA Act agencies, compared with $185 million in 2007 08 and $170 million in 2006 07.
Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner said that Australians now have a clearer picture of how taxpayers’ dollars are being spent on government advertising.
“Since coming to office the Rudd Government has made significant changes to the government advertising framework to reduce costs and increase transparency,” Minister Tanner said.
“No previous government has ever committed to publishing a regular, dedicated report on consolidated campaign advertising costs across the whole-of-government.”
Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the publishing of biannual reports is one element of the Rudd Government’s comprehensive reforms to the campaign advertising framework.
“This report, along with other initiatives such as the Guidelines on Campaign Advertising, was developed to assure the community that government advertising campaigns are objective, factual and free of improper political messages,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The Rudd Government recognises that while advertising and information campaigns are necessary to inform Australians of Government programs, and for operational activities of agencies such as defence recruitment, campaigns should be politically neutral.”
“Advertising campaigns over $250,000 are now certified against the guidelines by the chief executive of the commissioning department or agency, and the Auditor-General reviews the campaign for compliance against the guidelines.”
This Full Year Report is the second in a series of biannual reports detailing campaign advertising expenditure by government departments and agencies which are tabled in Parliament and can be accessed online at: http://www.finance.gov.au/advertising/campaign_advertising_2008-09.html
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| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Minister Tanner's Office - Nardia Dazkiw - 0418 144 690 | www.financeminister.gov.au |
| Minister Ludwig’s Office: - Sarah Cosson - 0423 823 843 | www.smos.gov.au |