ScoMo’s proposal to taxpayer-fund political radio ads blocked by Senate

Image: AAP

The Morrison Government’s proposal to use taxpayer-funded electoral allowances on radio and TV advertising as been blocked by the Senate.

As news.com.au reports, the Federal Government had proposed the lifting of a ban that prevents public money from being spent on political advertising to the tune of $22 million.

Each MP has a budget of around $137,000 for electorate communications. Senators meanwhile have up to $109,000.

The Coalition had argued lifting the ban on TV and radio promotions would have put Australian media on a level playing field by ensuring all communities had the same access to information from their Federal MP.

“Publicly funded office budgets are for members and senators to communicate with their constituents – not for spamming voters with hollow election slogans from the ad man, Scott Morrison,” said Labor frontbencher Don Farrell, who moved the disallowance motion.

Farrell also accused the PM of wasting taxpayer money in a bit to save his own job.

Labor won the disallowance vote 34 to 28.