Queensland Government ads spark Opposition complaint to auditor-general

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The Queensland Opposition has lodged a complaint with the auditor-general over what it says is a breach by the State Government of the advertising code of conduct.

State Government ads have aired recently on various issues, including asset leases and Great Barrier Reef protection.

There are also new advertisements about hospital waiting lists ready to go to air.

"There is a clear code of conduct - that code of conduct says very clear, in black and white, there should be no political advertising," Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

"We've already seen $20 million spent on the Strong Choices campaign.

"My concern now is there is another $20 million about to be spent – this is blatant political advertising.

"This should be spent on frontline services, not on LNP advertising.

"I don't know how much is going to be spent but it is a tsunami of ads."

She said she had written to the auditor-general to seek clarification on the issue.

"This government has no shred of integrity and accountability; they are using taxpayers' money to mount a massive spend in the lead-up to the election, which is now less than four months away," she said.

A State Government spokesman said all advertising was within guidelines and that the LNP's overall advertising spend would be 20 per cent lower than that of the former Labor government.

Topics: elections, advertising, liberal-national-party, alp, brisbane-4000