When the government shuts up the information shop, people who want the truth take the long way home. The public got no answers at all on the government’s cash for comment deal revealed by Labor’s communications spokesman Lindsay Tanner two weeks ago – see Whatever it takes: the Howard Government’s cash for comment play and Is the government ethical? No comment – so I’ve put in three Freedom of Information requests.

 

Lindsay has lodged a question on notice to the Minister (see below), and Webdiary reader Reg Boyle emailed the communications minister Daryl Williams. Lo and behold, Williams announced his retirement!

Reg Boyle in Westleigh, Sydney

Margo, I’m sure it was your article on Universal McCann and the Liberal Party that caused me to write to Mr Williams last Saturday. I am more than a little startled to find that he announced his retirement less than 48 hours later. I do hope it wasn’t me. 🙂

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Dear Mr Williams,

I have just finished reading your maiden speech. I am impressed with its noble tone though I must disagree with you that the Liberal Party has indeed got, in the true terms of the word liberal, the same noble aims.

There is no doubt in my mind after reading your speech, that deceptive and manipulative advertising, such as that involving Universal McCann, and similar deceptions, do not sit well with your moral code. Unfortunately you are associated with a Prime Minister whose moral code reflects badly on all the members of his government. Because of this, I doubt there is much you personally can do to repair this cynically undemocratic practice.

I write merely to let you know I am conscious of the situation and will be doing all in my puny power to ensure that your government has the mantle of trust ripped from its unworthy shoulders.

May you prosper, but not your less worthy associates.

Reg Boyle, Westleigh, another 1950s teenager.

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Lindsay Tanner’s parliamentary question on notice

April 2 2004

Question on Notice to the Hon Daryl Williams Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and The Hon Peter Costello Minister Representing the Minister for Finance

I refer the Government’s strategy to advertise the state of telecommunications services in regional Australia and in particular the strategy provided by Universal McCann, tabled by me in Parliament on March 24 2003.

Who commissioned the strategy from Universal McCann?

Who made the decision to commission Universal McCann?

Who liaised with Universal McCann on behalf of the Government with respect to completion of the contract?

Is there any Government guideline governing the use of Government advertising to induce favourable editorial comment in a newspaper? If so, what does this guideline state?

When did the Government decide not to proceed with the Universal McCann proposal to obtain favourable editorial comment from regional newspapers in return for additional advertising?

Who made the decision?

When were Universal McCann advised of this decision, and how were they advised prior to March 24, 2004?

Were any newspaper advertisements in this campaign placed?

If so in which newspapers were these advertisements placed?

Was any editorial comment provided on return?

Which organisations were advised of the contents of the Universal McCann strategy?

Has any subsequent advice varying or revoking that strategy been provided to such organisations?