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Home arrow Opinion Archive arrow The Government’s Flawed Union Ads … let's talk
The Government’s Flawed Union Ads … let's talk

By Debra Adams,


Insiders was interesting this morning.Barry Cassidy interviewed Peter Costello; he asked about the accuracy of the Government’s campaign ad that asserts 70% of the members of the alternative Government have had roles as union officials. Costello remained reluctant to back down from the 70% figure when some of the real facts of the matter were put to him. For example, Cassidy pointed out that the ad incorrectly cast Wayne Swan as a past union official. He also indicated Julia Gillard and others had been misrepresented.



There was considerable floundering by Costello as his team was called to account, however he continued to back the Government’s point that most of the Opposition had history as union officials.

Cassidy didn’t have time to go through the entire cast of accused ALP shadow ministers.

I’m curious about how people feel about this, so I’ve posed a few questions to prompt a conversation :

Is it fair/right for the Government to knowingly present the electorate with information that is untrue? (The Prime Minister says that Mr Rudd should grow up and accept fact. Cassidy’s interview with Costello (the Prime Minister in waiting) correctly identified flaws in the Government’s assertions on this.)

Is it reasonable for the Government to suggest that they might have made a couple of mistakes on this but got most of it right?

Is it right that the ad continues to run when the Government has been called to account on it and its inaccuracy is indisputable?

Should Rudd and the electorate “grow up” and accept these inaccuracies?
   

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Sad facts

By: Doug (Registered ) on 22-10-2007 02:01

I am not sure about party election advertising but Howard has removed all government advertising from any form of truth in advertising review. if the government now advertises false of misleading information there is absolutely no complaint or independent review that can make a determination. 
 
 
Effectively our government has voted themselves the right to lie to the Australian people and removed any right of complaint or review.

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formal complaint

By: Doug (Registered ) on 22-10-2007 02:28

I have just lodged a formal complaint with the ACCC I wonder if they will respond? They cannot investigate false government ads but this is a Liberal party advertisement. 
 
http://www.accc.gov.au/ content/index.phtml/itemId/ 54217/fromItemId/3634#h2_28

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Liar, liar

By: Caro Cordo (Registered ) on 22-10-2007 03:42

Does anyone really expect to see the truth from John Howard's government? The blatant liar has had his pants on fire for quite a few years now.

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Scolded by PM for misleading Au Public

By: Deb A (Registered ) on 22-10-2007 07:22

Caro Cordo and Doug, on the point about John Howard and truth, I noticed during the debate that the PM was quick to complain about Rudd’s use of an OECD report to make a point about Australia’s record on funding higher education compared with other developed countries.  
 
If my memory serves me correctly, Howard accused Rudd of "misleading" the Australian public. The scolding by Howard extended to a description of Rudd’s behaviour as "pathetic"... ouch. 
 
On the matter of Costello's performance on Insiders, the SMH also reported it late yesterday. 
 
Doug, it will be interesting to hear how the ACCC responds to your complaint.

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ammunition for sedition by admisson

By: virtual (Registered ) on 22-10-2007 07:35

i'd just have the lot of 'em up for sedition .... "elections are not being conducted in the interests of the australian voting public via misleading and false information aka disinformation" 
i wonder if caretaker governments have parliamentary privilege? (i.e. licensed to lie)

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