Big Build advertising spend hits $2m, eclipsing combined ad expenses of 7 departments

The state government has defended spending more than $2 million placing advertisements spruiking its Big Build program in just three and a half months.

Taxpayers have been forking out nearly $20,000 a day for the state government to spruik its centrepiece Big Build infrastructure program, in a major advertising spend eclipsing that of seven departments.

The state government, upon probing by the Opposition, revealed it had spent $2.03 million placing advertisements on the Big Build program across television, radio, digital, and billboards.

The ad spend covers the period between March 18 and the end of June, equating to $19,490 a day.

Premier Steven Miles defended the spend on Tuesday, arguing it was “really important” the government talk to Queenslanders about their nearly $100bn major infrastructure program, including how it will affect them and their community.

“It’s about letting people know what we’re building in their local area and the impacts that construction could have on their local community, but also the benefits that make it worth it,” he said.

Analysis of state government data shows the cost of spruiking the Big Build over three months eclipses that of seven departments — including Police, Resources, Tourism and Sport, and State Development — across 2022/23.

Grace Grace MP, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, defended the spending on advertising.

The split of the $2.03m spend includes $607,627 for television ads, $404,322 for radio, $536,398 for digital advertising, and $478,700 for “out of home” advertising — which includes billboards.

State development minister Grace Grace said the campaign included “localised materials across seven different regions highlighting local projects”, telling people where to find more info about its benefits and what disruptions they may experience during construction.

“We are delivering the homes, the schools, the hospitals, the renewable energy infrastructure, and the roads and transport our growing state needs to secure sustainable economic growth and liveable communities,” she said.

Opposition treasury spokesman David Janetzki slammed the spend amid a cost-of-living crisis.

“While Queenslanders are desperately struggling to pay their household bills, Labor is paying more than $2m of taxpayer dollars to spruik their re-election campaign,” he said.

“After more than a decade and skyrocketing crises in health, housing, youth crime and cost of living, Labor can’t stand on their own record, so instead they’re using the Government as their personal election propaganda machine, on the eve of an election.”