Labor Waste

Media Release – Greg Hunt MP

The Government’s crisis mini-budget has confirmed that Australians will be subject to another carbon tax advertising blitz.

The Mid-Year Economic Fiscal Outlook outlines the multi-million dollar communications budgets for the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.  This is on top of the $24 million already spent on advertising.  It does not however detail the expected TV advertising campaign which the Department has admitted is under consideration and the Prime Minister has failed to rule out.

The Government should be making savings by axing these expensive, political advertising campaigns. 

In addition to the $24m spent so far on advertising, the Government is also proposing up to $102.4m on further advertising and related expenses:

• Clean Energy Future – Implementation: $32.6 million over two years

“This funding includes the establishment of a Clean Energy Future Program Office within the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, to review, assess and support the implementation of the plan and funding to provide information to Australian households, businesses and communities about the plan.” (Appendix A, p.211)

• Clean Energy Future – Improving Energy Efficiency – household advice: $5.8 million over four years

“The Government will provide $5.8 million over four years to deliver information to households on the impact of the carbon price on electricity bills…” (Appendix A, p.212)

• Clean Energy Future – Supporting Jobs – Energy Efficiency Information Grants: $40 million over four years.

“The Government will provide $40.0 million over four years to assist industry associations and non-government organisations to deliver information about the implications of a carbon price…” (Appendix A, p.215)

Total cost = $102.4 million

And as the Prime Minister has intimated, there will be a possible new TV campaign, in addition to this $100 million.

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