The Queensland government is spending millions of dollars spruiking its Big Build infrastructure plan in an advertising campaign funded by taxpayers.
State Development Minister Grace Grace has confirmed the campaign – which is running in the midst of an election year – will cost more than $2 million.
This includes $607,000 for television ads, about $404,000 for radio ads, more than $500,000 for digital ads, and about $478,000 for out of home ads.
The ads were launched on March 18 and will run through to June 30, but the government has not ruled out extending campaign.
The campaign includes multiple ads with tailored messages for various regions across the state.
The ad in South East Queensland, for example, advertises the Gold Coast light rail extension and the ad in Central Queensland features the Rockhampton ring road project.
The Cairns Hospital expansion is profiled in an ad for Far North Queensland and the new Bundaberg Hospital is the subject of an ad for the Wide Bay Burnett region.
Ms Grace said the campaign equated to 0.002 per cent of the more than $90 billion the government planned to spend on infrastructure over the next four years.
She said the ads helped residents find information about the disruptions they could face during the construction phase of the projects.
“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 — projects the LNP would cut if given the chance,” Ms Grace said.
“Keeping Queenslanders informed is vital.
“Over the past decade in Australia, around $20 billion of infrastructure projects were delayed, cancelled, or mothballed, due in part to community opposition, often when residents were not well informed about disruptions and benefits.”
LNP treasury spokesperson David Janetzki accused the Labor government of using the ads to boost its re-election campaign.
“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,” Mr Janetzki said.
The government has an advertising and communication committee that is responsible for ensuring ad campaigns are cost effective and deliver value for money.
The government also has an advertising and marketing code of conduct that prohibits ads that attempt to give a positive impression of a political party.
Queensland voters will head to the polls on October 26 to determine who will lead the state for the next four years.
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