A performance audit of advertising campaigns conducted by Service NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service conducted by Auditor-General Margaret Crawford has found that one of the Agencies allegedly stepped across the line requiring them to carry out their projects in an effective, economical and efficient manner and in compliance with the Government Advertising Act 2011.
In her audit report Government advertising 2018-19 and 2019-20 Ms Crawford found the Agencies met most of the requirements of the Government Advertising Act, regulations, Guidelines and other laws, however “Service NSW inappropriately used its post campaign evaluation to measure sentiment towards and confidence in the NSW Government.”
“While agency analysis shows that the ‘Cost of Living’ (phases 2 and 3) and ‘How Fireproof is Your Plan?’ campaigns achieved most of their objectives, the campaign objectives and targets set by both Agencies were not sufficient to measure all aspects of campaign effectiveness,” Ms Crawford said.
She said the Act requires the Auditor-General to conduct an annual performance audit of one or more Government Agencies to see whether their advertising activities were carried out in an effective, economical and efficient manner and in compliance with the Act.
“Section 6 of the Act prohibits political advertising,” Ms Crawford said.
“Under this section, material that is part of a Government advertising campaign must not contain the name, voice or image of a Minister, Member of Parliament or a candidate nominated for election to Parliament or the name, logo or any slogan of a political party,” she said.
“Further, a campaign must not be designed to influence (directly or indirectly) support for a political party.”
Ms Crawford made one recommendation in her report.
The full 31-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
