It will spend nearly $300,000 in Dunkley,releasing anti-Labor attack ads,driving trucks around the electorate criticising Labor’s economic handling,and mobilising volunteers on election day.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday criticised Advance for a newspaper advertisement referring to “rapists,paedophiles and murderers” released from immigration detention after a High Court decision last year. “How many in Dunkley?” the ad asked.
“I note that this campaign that allegedly isn’t from the Liberal Party done in the name of this group is certainly very partisan,” Albanese said on Thursday.
“They spread a whole lot of misinformation and there’s misinformation as part of that ad. And it’s unfortunate because I don’t want to see Australia go down the American road where there’s so much polarisation.”
Conroy said on Friday he was not focussed on Advance’s campaign.
“I’ve no connections,or conversations personally with Advance,” he said. “My campaign is a strong and positive campaign,no matter what anyone else does.”
Labor’s candidate,Jodie Belyea,said Advance’s messaging was designed to “create fear and infiltrate people’s psyche”.
“I don’t think they are really adding anything to the reality of politics. I don’t think Advance offers anything of value to this democracy.”
Advance collected more than $5.1 million in donations in the last financial year,which was more than teal funding vehicle Climate 200 and nearly as much as major lobby groups such as Master Builders Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Established before the 2019 federal election with plans to counter left-wing body GetUp,Advance had been an insignificant player in national politics until the referendum when it ran the No campaign.
Its leadership,mostly composed of former Liberal Party operatives from the ACT,operated a social media campaign that effectively elevated awareness about the potential risks posed by the Voice. Labor and Voice supporters accused Advance of lying during the referendum.
Advance has so far outspent the Liberal Party on advertising on Facebook. It has spent nearly more than $25,000 over the past month compared to the Liberals’ $21,000. Labor has spent about $50,000,but these figures don’t capture spending on platforms such as YouTube and streaming services,where political parties now spend large sums.
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An Advance spokesman said:“[Our] campaign is clear. Australia has had enough. This byelection may not change the government,but it sure will send a message. It’s a message that Albanese and Labor need to hear:put Labor last.”
While Advance’s sharp rhetoric has attracted media attention,party sources downplayed the group’s influence and claimed its role in the Voice campaign was exaggerated.
The Liberal’s main advertising message has urged voters to send a message to Labor over the cost of living while giving them comfort that the government will not change if Labor loses. Labor’s most important campaign line has been that Belyea will maintain the legacy of popular former member Murphy,while framing Dutton as a wrecker who cut funding to Frankston Hospital.
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