LNP complains to ECQ over Labor’s use of government slogan
Labor’s hijacking of a taxpayer-funded government slogan is being investigated by the Electoral Commission after an LNP complaint.
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Labor’s hijacking of taxpayer-funded government slogan “Doing What Matters For Queensland” is being investigated by the state’s electoral commission following a complaint by the LNP.
The slogan was branded on the government’s stall at the Ekka and splashed across the front of the Queensland Government budget.
It’s now being used by Labor and Premier Steven Miles as its key campaign slogan, appearing on media releases, how-to-vote cards and candidate corflutes.
The Courier-Mail can reveal LNP deputy state director Michael Negerevich has now written to the Electoral Commission of Queensland querying the use of the slogan and whether it affected Labor’s election spending cap.
“This is the first time we are aware of government advertising being used so blatantly for political purposes by a registered political party,” he said.
“Can you please advise what implications, if any, the use of the Doing What Matters For Queensland branding by the Queensland Labor Party will have on their expenditure caps, noting the substantial expenditure that would have been incurred by the Queensland government on research and focus groups to land on a slogan that is now being used solely for political purposes.”
Asked whether the government conducted taxpayer-funded research about the Doing What Matters For Queensland slogan, or if it broke any electoral laws, a spokeswoman for Mr Miles said no.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland confirmed it had received a complaint and was investigating it.
“It is currently under consideration and no determinations have yet been made,” a spokeswoman said.
“The ECQ conducts its compliance activities in confidence and directly with relevant stakeholders.
“This is to ensure confidentiality with these activities, to avoid any prejudice to the process, to retain the confidence of all relevant parties in that process, and to remain removed from any political discourse.
“Given the complexities involved, the ECQ expects that this matter may not be finalised before election day.”
Electoral expenditure caps are in place for the first time this state election.
An independent candidate’s spending is capped at $90,748 and $60,499 for an endorsed candidate.
It is in addition to the $95,964 a political party can spend in each electorate.
Registered third parties, such as unions, can spend up to $1m during the election period.
If he becomes premier, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has promised to reconsider a ban on property developer donations and remove “corrupt” compulsory preferential voting laws introduced by Labor in 2016.
Originally published as LNP complains to ECQ over Labor’s use of government slogan
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