Good news for agencies with government bodies on its books with news out today the public servants spent a whopping $147.7 million on advertising over 2015-16 financial year – an increase of 40 per cent on the year previous.
However, the figure wasn’t a record for spend which was set back in 2007/08 when Canberra forked out $185.3 million (which also included the Howard/Rudd federal election.)
This year’s election certainly helped, too, heaping $43.3 million into agency coffers. Defence force recruiting continued to splash the cash to the tune of $31.4 million, while Turnbull’s science and innovation agenda added $14.9 million.
However, it should be noted these figures don’t include ads for actual political parties which are paid for by the parties themselves. Rather it’s about urging people to vote, showing them how to vote or advising them on things such as the recent changes to senate voting.
The report into government ad spend, released yesterday, also revealed that the heavy spending on defence would continue. It noted that defence had around 7800 positions (both officer and entry level) that needed filling. The report said it would target ethnic media with ads to create a more diverse workforce.