This seems more like an advertorial. A complaint on behalf of LNP’s Vic Branch’s attempt to excuse their up-and-coming loss at the election next month. Given that Ch9 didn’t complain or make an issue of this when the LNP were in power it seems rather calculated to headline it now. The Naphine government spent money and even signed unwanted infrastructure contracts when they knew they were going to lose. Contracts that cost this state more to cancel than any “overspend” on ads that failed to stop the ALP from winning government.

I could be wrong as the ABC has jumped on the current Grattan Institute’s report as well. The Grattan Institute has simply validated what the whole of Australia has known and experienced for years. Most of which were LNP-controlled. The research however, doesn’t address Victoria, or next month’s election as the data isn’t out. Is Dan meant to not advertise “closed roads” due to infrastructure works going on?

No analysis, costings or accusations can realistically be made before this election. The timing of this research’s past, released now, isn’t the point either. But, mainstream media headlining it is. Because, it does sound like a whine, and the voice of sour grapes on behalf of the LNP before the poll as their current ads show they aren’t cutting through. Has the State LNP run out of funds again or are they about to do a Trump and claim the election is in the process of being stolen?

Ch9 gives “Matt” Matthew Guy more air-time than they gave Dan Andrews when he was in opposition and running against Napthine. No research has been done on that. But memory serves us well doesn’t it? However, there has been a significant difference witnessed since Peter Costello was made head of Ch 9 and took over Fairfax and The Age in Victoria. Stokes is in charge of ch7, and Murdoch dominates Sky News and the regions. Any case of unfair obvious has been obvious as far back as Bolte. Even in opposition LNP ads might not look directly gov subsidised but more like undeclared donations to me. Murdoch’s always been a standout and Ch9 has become the new stronger player on the block. While the ABC has been whipped into line this past decade with the Federal government slashing and bashing them into submission.

Can Guy’s regular appearance on Costello’s CH9 News be regarded as an undeclared “donation”? How much would that be worth? How much is this article’s placement worth if costed as a donation?

The opposition, as well as minor parties and independents, are unfairly disadvantaged when governments exploit their incumbency and use public money to boost their image. Victoria has stronger rules than most jurisdictions. They prohibit politicisation of taxpayer-funded advertising – but there are no consequences for flouting these laws.

Source: Political parties must stop spending taxpayer money on campaign advertising