Eye-watering advertising budget behind Victoria’s ‘big build’ blitz
The Andrews government has come under fire for pouring millions into a marketing campaign for Victoria’s “Big Build” infrastructure blitz.
Victoria
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More than $10 million was poured into advertising Victoria’s “Big Build” infrastructure blitz over two-and-a-half years.
Among the marketing bill was a $745,000 campaign in 2018-19 for High Capacity Metro Trains — which didn’t hit the tracks until late last year, after a 20-month delay.
The state opposition uncovered the costs through Freedom of Information requests, which it says also shows 133 media and PR “spin doctors” are employed through the state’s Major Transport Infrastructure Authority.
But the Andrews government has defended the big spend, saying communicating cancellations and traffic changes was all in the “public interest”.
The cash splash was spread across a variety of projects overseen by the MTIA, including $637,000 on the stalled West Gate Tunnel project and $882,000 on level crossing removals.
Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Davis said between February 7 2018 and September 16 last year, the MTIA’s PR costs would have been nearly $50m.
He said the government had clearly crossed the line from public information.
“Effectively (Transport Infrastructure Minister) Jacinta Allan has 133 full-time spin doctors employed at MTIA to push government propaganda,” he said.
“This taxpayer money could have been much better spent on other necessary projects — say, helping hundreds of small businesses hit by COVID lockdowns.”
Mr Davis said advertising road and rail closures was one thing, but promoting the high-capacity trains project when passengers “couldn’t buy a ticket yet” was outrageous.
A government spokeswoman said that spend was a fraction of the $2.3 billion high-capacity train project cost and was needed to run community engagement activities as well as communicate changes.
She said advertising campaigns made it easier for commuters to get around the city and state.
“We’re delivering an unprecedented $80bn program of works that will transform our transport network — and it’s vital we provide extensive public information and consult with the community, so Victorians can have their say on our projects, and stay informed about disruptions so they can plan their journeys,” she said.
“All our communication and advertising activities adhere to Victoria’s strengthened regulations which require campaigns to be in the public interest.”
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