House debates Questions without Notice

Advertising Campaigns

Monday, 21 May 2007 House of Representatives

Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

2:21 pm

My question is again to the Special Minister of State. Did the Ministerial Committee on Government Communications approve the current industrial relations PR campaign last Thursday or before last Thursday? If it was approved before last Thursday, on what date was it approved? Minister, what was the budget proposed by the relevant departments for the industrial relations PR campaign approved by your committee?

Gary Nairn

Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State

I have already answered the question but I will say it again. The member for Lalor might approve industrial relations policies before the union movement writes them but—

Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Ms Gillard interjecting

Jenny Macklin

Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Community Services

How much?

David Hawker

David Hawker Speaker

Order! The deputy leader and member for Jagajaga!

Gary Nairn

Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State

—The information campaign was finally approved on Thursday, 17 May.

Jenny Macklin

Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Community Services

How much?

David Hawker

David Hawker Speaker

The member for Jagajaga is warned!

Gary Nairn

Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State

The process undertaken was exactly the same as the process for any government information campaign. It was the same as the campaign on cervical cancer and the same as the campaign on defence recruitment, on which you have asked no question whatsoever. The process was the exactly the same.

Opposition Members:

How much?

Gary Nairn

Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State

The budget for campaigns is a matter for the departments. The MCGC approves the way in which the campaign is run with respect to TV, radio and print.