Andrew Fraser | February 26, 2009
Article from: The Australian
THE Queensland Government will take off air its advertisements about new fishing zones in Moreton Bay, but will keep all other government-funded advertising on air for the duration of the election campaign.
Liberal National Party frontbencher Mike Horan said yesterday the ALP was gaining an unfair advantage in the campaign by letting the taxpayer-funded advertisements continue.
Taxpayer-funded advertisements running on television include one by television personality Jana Wendt urging women to have a screening for breast cancer, while another points out that there is a "dark side" to tanning.
A proposed advertising campaign to support changes in fishing zones in Moreton Bay that come into effect from Sunday will now not go to air because the LNP has promised to repeal the legislation if it comes to power at the polls.
The advertisements were due to go to air from tonight, but Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said yesterday that they had beenpulled.
"On that matter there is a significant policy difference between the National Party and Labor," Ms Bligh said.
"It is going to be the subject of political debate during the campaign, so it is not appropriate to air those advertisements."
Mr Horan said press and television ads had been running hot since the election was announced.
He said government advertising campaigns for Q2, health, Treasury, public works, environment, housing and education, training and the arts had all been spotted in Queensland newspapers and on commercial TV.
"Under caretaker conventions, Ms Bligh should put a stop to all government advertisements, which have been funded by Queensland taxpayers," Mr Horan said. "During the 09 campaign, Labor has been tipped to outspend Lawrence Springborg and the LNP five-to-one on political advertisements, and to use multi-million-dollar, taxpayer-funded ads for Ms Bligh's election campaign is an insult to Queenslanders.
"No wonder we face a mountain of $74 billion debt in Queensland, and are borrowing more money to fund wages for nurses, teachers and police officers."