Dissenting Report by
Senator Xenophon
'Ads Nauseum –
the need for legislative reform of Government advertising'
1.1
The
Government Advertising (Accountability) Bill 2011 was introduced following the
Government's announcement that it was going to spend $12 million of taxpayers'
money on an advertising campaign about their plans to price carbon, well before
the legislation had been introduced into Parliament, let alone passed into law.
1.2
This
Bill represents community frustration about the use of taxpayer funds on party
policies that are not yet legislated for; from the GST and WorkChoices ad
campaigns under the Howard Government, to the mining tax and carbon price plan
more recently.
1.3
Indeed,
this Bill mirrors comments made in 2005 in the Senate Finance and Public
Administration References Committee Report, Government advertising and
accountability, which stated that:
"... no expenditure of public money
for mass media advertising should be undertaken until the government has
obtained passage of the legislation giving it authority to implement the
relevant policy, program or service. Where a proposed public information or
education campaign covers a matter which does not require legislation, an
appropriation for the specific purpose of the campaign must be obtained. The
requirement should not be enforced in situations where major issues of public
health, safety or public order have arising at short notice".
1.4
In
its submission to the Inquiry, the Accountability Round Table said:
"Government public information
advertising should be reserved for the provisions of information in the public
interest and should not be used by the Executive in the interests of its
political party or coalition".
1.5
It
is noted that Government advertising is currently subject to the Guidelines on
Information and Advertising Campaigns by Australian Government Departments and
Agencies, which was introduced in 2008.
1.6
These
guidelines are designed to ensure that:
* members of the public have equal
rights to access comprehensive information about government policies, programs
and services which affect their entitlements, rights and obligations;
*governments may legitimately use public
funds to explain government policies, programs or services, to inform members
of public of their obligations, rights and entitlements, to encourage informed
consideration of issues or to change behaviour; and
* government campaigns must not be
conducted for party political purposes.
1.7
There
is a distinct difference between Government's spending taxpayer funds on
advertising policies which are initiatives that are underway, as opposed to
those which are party specific, such as in the case of the carbon price.
1.8
Under
this Bill, Governments will be banned from using taxpayer funds to advertise
policy, unless the policy has been enacted in legislation, except in particular
circumstances such as by resolution of the Parliament or with the consent of
the Leader of the Opposition in the event of a national emergency.
1.9
This
Bill will strengthen the transparency of government expenditure on advertising
and ensure that millions of dollars of taxpayer funds aren't spent on policies
that are not yet passed into law.
Recommendation
That
the Bill be passed.
NICK
XENOPHON
Independent
Senator for South Australia
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