Liberals, Labor feud over $60m spend on advertisements

The state government has dipped into public funds to pay millions in advertising, prompting a war of words between the major parties over whether it was worth it. Here’s how it was spent.

Acting Premier Guy Barnett speaks to media at Littlewood Berry Farm Richmond with Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton. Picture: Linda Higginson

The state government’s advertising spend has topped $60m, prompting a war of words between Labor and the Liberals about whether it was money well spent.

Tourism Tasmania topped the advertising and promotion spend in 2023/24 with $25m, followed by TT-Line on $10m and Hydro Tasmania with $5.5m, documents released under Right to Information laws reveal.

The Department of State Growth on $3.3m and Health ($3.3m) and Tasracing ($2m) rounded out the top six.

Labor says the Liberals spent more on for advertising and promotion than they will on early learning over the next two years.

Labor's Josh Willie.

Shadow Treasurer John Willie said it made sense for the tourism-related businesses to spend on advertising, but with state debt set to hit $14bln in the coming years, restrain was needed.

“We can’t afford to be spending this kind of money on puff and promotions.

“Instead of cutting the guts out of health and education, the Liberals should cut out frivolous waste.

“This is another example of wasteful spending of taxpayer money under the Liberals.

‘It’s exactly the sort of waste Labor’s plan for budget repair seeks to address.

“After a decade of the Liberals’ budget mismanagement and waste, Tasmania’s finances are set to be the worst in the country.

“Treasurer Barnett should acknowledge that enough is enough and it’s time to get Tasmania’s record deficits and debt under control.

The Liberals were elected in 2014 on a platform of reducing wasteful government spending. Supplies and consumables, consultants and advertising were among their top targets.

Mr Barnett said Labor’s attack on the states advertising budget reeked of economic incompetence.

“For Labor to be criticising some of Tasmania’s most successful and critical marketing campaigns across the tourism and transport industry just shows their complete and utter ignorance as to what keeps Tasmania’s economy strong,” her said.

“Almost 43,000 Tasmanian jobs are dependent on our tourism industry alone and benefit from the business they receive as a direct result of campaigns that drive visitation to Tasmania.

“Our Liberal Government will always proudly showcase everything our State has to offer and what makes it special – which in turn encourages people to live, work and raise a family here and contribute to our economy – keeping people in employment and putting food on the table of families.”

Originally published as Liberals, Labor feud over $60m spend on advertisements