Outrage over Tasmanian Liberals’ election spending on pamphlets

Taxpayers fund brochures being distributed to all Tasmanian homes in alleged ‘scandalous’ abuse of public purse.

Taxpayers have funded Liberal brochures being distributed to all Tasmanian homes during the state election campaign, in an ­alleged “scandalous” abuse of the public purse and breach of expenditure rules.

The Weekend Australian has confirmed the glossy, multi-page pamphlets, featuring the Liberal Party’s election slogan, were paid for out of Liberal MPs’ resource allocation. Rules for the use of these taxpayer funds — $10,000 per MP — state they can be spent only on “research and support, or equipment”.

While this can include printed material detailing policy, the rules state this cannot be deemed election material. “This is a scandalous misuse of taxpayer funds and is typical ­behaviour of an arrogant government,” said Labor campaign spokeswoman Sarah Lovell.

“Obviously, there are very ­serious questions to answer, and the fact is the Liberals thought they could get away with it.”

Liberal campaign spokesman Michael Ferguson confirmed the use of MPs’ ­resource allocation, which combined could amount to $150,000. However, he denied any breach of the Tasmanian government Members’ Handbook rules.

“The brochure was organised prior to the election being called and was funded by members through their members’ resource allocation,” Mr Ferguson said.

“This is the same allowance and the rules of usage is available to all members of parliament, ­including Labor, Greens, and ­independents. The brochure provides details of the government’s policy positions, as announced in the Premier’s ‘state of the state’ ­address. This is consistent with the relevant guidelines.”

The pamphlets — which ­include the images of Liberal MPs in the previous parliament but not new candidates — have been circulated to households in all five state electorates. They appear to have been produced before the snap poll was called by Premier Peter Gutwein — a year before it was due — but have been distributed since the campaign began.

They include the Liberal election slogan “Securing Tasmania’s Future”, the authorisation of the party’s state director, Stuart Smith, and a clear election pitch: “We want to get on with our clear plan to secure Tasmania’s future”.

The brochures do not use the words “vote for”, which are ­expressly forbidden in the rules.

However, use of the election slogan, the call for the Liberals to be allowed to “get on”, and the distribution during the campaign all give the appearance of election material.

During an election, the former sitting lower house MPs are no longer members of parliament; the House of Assembly having been dissolved by the governor. The use of taxpayer funds ­designed to “assist members in the performance of their duties” during this period — when they are no longer MPs — is therefore controversial and, Labor alleges, highly improper.

Sources said Labor would pursue the matter. Formal complaints could be lodged with the state’s anti-corruption watchdog, parliamentary privileges committees, as well as the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Legislative Council, which jointly administer the allocation.