Millions in taxpayer funded advertising 'politicised' by governments, new research says

At least a quarter of the Commonwealth's yearly spend on taxpayer-funded advertising is highly political and biased towards the government of the day, according to new research. Key points: The report found a quarter of the government's spend on advertising was questionable It recommended an independent panel to check if ads comply with rules before campaigns begin The Grattan Institute wants tighter rules around taxpayer-funded advertising The Grattan Institute has analysed spending between 2008 and 2021 and found governments across the political spectrum have taken advantage of loose advertising rules, "weaponising" taxpayer funds for electoral gain. "Some advertising campaigns look politicised — this is because they include, for example, party slogans or colour schemes, commonly they spruik government achievements or policies, and they're often timed to run in the lead up to elections," the report author Anika Stobart said. "Most state governments, and also the federal government, have rules in place to prevent politicisation of taxpayer-funded advertising," Ms Stobart said. "I think there's probably public outrage when we see government advertising that's being paid for by the public purse spruiking what the government is doing, even particularly when they're adding their party logo or the colour scheme to it," Ms Stobart said.