The article raises a valid issue in a totally unemotive way.The situation is now out of hand. We have moved from 'feelgood' campaigns using taxpayers money, to this latest outrageous dishonest IR splurge.This propaganda using the public purse is a threat to our democracy. The High Court in a predictable 5-2 majority decision totally dropped the ball.We see State ALP Govt's,using public funds to advertise thier achievments. The Genie is out the bottle, i cant see it being put back in anytime soon.I expect to see all incumbent Australian Govt's dipping into the public purse prior to election campaigns officially being launched.

The value of the Government’s IR advertisements may have zero benefit to society. But, the Government won an appeal against them, and no politicians will be willing to submit anything they don’t have to submit to anyone, as the author suggests.

Recently, the South Australian government, when asked to explain why, after criticising the previous government’s political advertising, they were now doing the same thing themselves, they simply said that they had been wrong to criticise the previous government!!

With that sort of cynicism and contempt for the electorate, what hope is there?

Of "course?" this government is not totally corrupt it just appears utterly corrupt but it does treat the electorate with total disdain and utter dribbling contempt.
The Gov. ministers and backbenchers are, in the main, absolutely compliant, grovelling, do-anything followers of fuehrer howard.
This "man?" howard, don't forget, during the last election was the person who sent his bagman (called by some nasty people) 'pretty-boy' anderson handing out swags of cash countrywide, in swinging or coalition seats too. Paying for votes - NEVER! Though I forget just what it was called this time. Yet I am sure it had a fine title.
This 'honest' john howard "promised" - yes I know promised again not to use his parliamentary majority in an arrogant manner - but he is isn't he so he lied again to the dumb, stupid Australian electorate.
If john, in his mind, paid for votes he would hold this paid-of electorate in total disrespect wouldn't he and rightly so.
One day the once caring Australian voters will wake up to this politician - one day. numbat

Howard only spent $55 million on advertising, which was completely unwarranted, and did not change public opion of the IR policies. I sae a national poll yesterday with the question "Do you think the new IR changes are necessacary" the vote was 92% against the changes 8% for. I would rather have seen the money spent on public health or education, both of which are drasticly underfunded, but don't blame me I didn't vote for this government.