But two advertisements reviewed by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office were both found to breach the law.
In a report tabled in State Parliament on Wednesday,the Auditor-General said there was no evidence government agencies acted in “bad faith” in creating the two campaigns,but they did not take sufficient steps to comply with the law. The agencies responded they believed they had complied. The Auditor-General’s Office said this suggested the laws could be unclear.
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The government’s “Our Fair Share” campaign advocated for more Commonwealth funding for Victoria in the lead-up to the 2019 federal election,airing between April and June that year at a cost of $1.7 million.
“Don’t let Canberra short-change our kids,” one advertisement said.
The Auditor-General’s report said the campaign did more than state facts and data,by promoting Victoria and criticising the Commonwealth with emotive language that could have influenced public sentiment.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday defended the media campaign.