Multi-million cash splash on poll eve

Original article by Lilly Vitorovich
The Australian – Page: 23 : 13-May-19

DDB Australia MD Leif Stromnes says Clive Palmer’s total expenditure on political advertising could potentially top $60m by 18 May. Data from Nielsen shows that United Australia Party had already spent some $39.1m on traditional media advertising up to 5 May. Stromnes notes that Palmer has bought reach very effectively, adding that his spending across TV, radio and newspapers is a "massive vote of confidence" for traditional media. The TV and radio advertising blackout on election advertising commences on 16 May, but print and online advertising will still be permitted.

CORPORATES
DDB HOLDINGS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, 2GB, GOOGLE INCORPORATED, YOUTUBE INCORPORATED, FACEBOOK INCORPORATED

Bill Shorten warns News Corp against acting like a political party

Original article by David Crowe
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: Online : 13-May-19

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten claimed on 12 May that parts of News Corporation appear to be acting like political parties in their "campaigning against Labor" in the lead-up to the federal election. Shorten’s comments followed a recent controversial story about his mother in ‘The Daily Telegraph’. He said he has some sympathy for the threat that traditional media faces from social media companies, but that becoming more frenzied is not the solution to their problems. Shorten called on voters to reject the minor parties in the Senate.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, ONE NATION PARTY, UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Greens rally to Garrett war cry

Original article by Ben Packham
The Australian – Page: 6 : 10-May-19

The Greens will seek to declare a ‘climate emergency’ when Parliament resumes after the federal election. Their call is in line with that of former environment minister Peter Garrett, who says that if Labor wins the election it should convene a climate emergency summit. Garrett also says a new federal department should be set up to "decarbonise the economy". Opposition finance spokesman Jim Chalmers says Garrett is very passionate about taking genuine action on climate change, while Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has announced a $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN GREENS, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Shorten’s pledge to business

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 26-Apr-19

Opposition leader Bill Shorten says the federal election contest has become one of "hope versus fear". He says the federal government appears to be solely focused on attacking Labor’s policies, and has nothing to offer itself. Shorten says he intends to convene a summit on the economy and wages within the first 100 days of a Labor government, while he says Labor has no plans to change its policies in areas like industrial relations and company taxes. Shorten adds that Labor wants to work with business, while he will not be beholden to the union movement.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

PM puts Palmer deal in play

Original article by Simon Benson, Sid Maher, Joe Kelly
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 24-Apr-19

The Coalition is believed to be finalising a preferences deal with Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party, although negotiations regarding some seats are said to be continuing. A deal with UAP would be likely to bolster the Coalition’s prospects of retaining a number of marginal seats, as well as regaining seats such as Lindsay and Herbert. Such a deal could also ensure that Palmer secures a seat in the Senate.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY, ONE NATION PARTY, KATTER’S AUSTRALIAN PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, PALMER UNITED PARTY

Palmer’s political ad spend tops $30m

Original article by Lilly Vitorovich
The Australian – Page: 20 & 22 : 22-Apr-19

New data from Nielsen shows that Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party has spent some $31.7m on newspaper, TV and radio advertising since September. The UAP significantly outspent the major political parties in the weeks immediately prior to the federal election being called. VMLY&R CEO Peter Bosilkovski notes that UAP has already spend more than the four major political parties during the 2016 election campaign. UAP’s advertising expenditure is expected to top $50m by election day.

CORPORATES
UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY, VMLY&R, THE NIELSEN COMPANY (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

PM declares peace despite ongoing coal push

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 14-Mar-19

National Party MP Barnaby Joyce is still advocating the use of taxpayers’ funds to build new coal-fired power stations in Queensland. However, Joyce has put his leadership ambitions on hold, declaring that Scott Morrison and Michael McCormack will lead the Coalition into the federal election. Joyce has also backed down on his claim that he is the legitimately elected deputy prime minister, describing it as a "misstep". Meanwhile, Morrison has stressed the need for Australia to have reliable and sustainable power that is "technology and resource agnostic".

CORPORATES
NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND SCIENCE, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Former PM Malcolm Turnbull slams Liberal Party in BBC interview

Original article by
News.com.au – Page: Online : 8-Mar-19

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has claimed in an interview with British journalist Andrew Neil that he was ousted because the Liberal Party believed that he would win the 2019 election. Turnbull maintains that the Coalition had been in a winnable position when he was ousted in August. He says public opinion polls of the time showed that support for the Coalition and Labor was evenly split, and that the Coalition was ahead in marginal seats. Turnbull adds that the Liberals can still win the election, but notes that successor Scott Morrison is faring worse than him in the polls.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Winnable seats for women still PM’s challenge

Original article by Andrew Tillett
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 9 : 26-Feb-19

The federal government is already under criticism for the lack of female MPs within its ranks. However, it is possible that it could suffer from an even greater gender imbalance after the upcoming election. It has been suggested that just four of the 21 female Coalition candidates who have been endorsed for either the House of Representatives or the Senate since Scott Morrison became Prime Minister in August are considered to be guaranteed of winning their seat.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

PM heads off revolt by Nationals

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 18-Feb-19

The National Party is very unhappy over the federal government’s shelving of legislation that would allow the forced divestment of energy companies’ assets. It is understood that some Nationals MPs were prepared to cross the floor of the House of Representatives and vote against the government on small business legislation. The government has moved to placate the Nationals by agreeing to support amendments to the legislation that will make it easier for smaller businesses to sue larger companies. The government has also indicated that it will support a Labor/Greens motion calling for a royal commission into the treatment of the disabled.

CORPORATES
NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, AGL ENERGY LIMITED – ASX AGL