RTI documents raise concerns the Liberal Government inappropriately used public money to block political opponents’ advertising during the period of government collapse and the first week of an election campaign.
The Liberals purchased extensions of a deal with Pulse Media Group for budget advertising, which guaranteed a “Full Digital Takeover” and “100% share-of-voice”. An extension was bought on the 6th of June for $8,954, following the successful no confidence motion in the Premier. Another extension was purchased on the 11 of June for $4,477, the same day the election was called.
Initially purchased to advertise the budget, the two extensions of the deal with Pulse were bought after it became clear the passage of the Liberals’ budget was no longer a political reality. It raises serious questions as to why the Liberals thought it acceptable to use public money for party-political campaign purposes.
By extending the budget-related deal with Pulse, the Liberals have used Tasmanian taxpayers’ funds to drown out opposition voices on the platform during a critical time in Tasmanian politics that attracted, and deserved, significant levels of public interest.
This looks like more of the same from a government that has regularly failed to be honest or transparent with Tasmanians. This is a serious issue and the Premier needs to come clean. Why did his government think it was acceptable to use public funds for its own political gain?
