Appendix D: Government advertising spend data
Download a PDF copy of Appendix D: Government advertising spend data.
Appendix C: Audit scope and method
Download a PDF copy of Appendix C: Audit scope and method.
Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary
Download a PDF copy of Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary.
Appendix A: Submissions and comments
Download a PDF copy of Appendix A: Submissions and comments.
5. Campaign advertising
Campaign advertising is paid media designed to inform, educate, motivate or change behaviour of the general public.
Campaign advertising compliance has improved. But there are still gaps in television advertising compliance, oversight of high-risk campaigns, and spend reporting.
Covered in this section:
4. Digital channels and social media
More government advertising and communications is delivered through digital channels and social media, but legislation and guidance have not been updated.
Without adequate controls, this creates risks where publicly funded content could be reused for political purposes.
Covered in this section:
3. An apolitical public sector
The Public Administration Act 2004 requires public sector agencies to be apolitical and act in the public interest. This applies to conduct as well as government communications and advertising.
But we found examples of conduct and government communications that did not meet these requirements.
Covered in this section:
2. Our recommendations
We made 9 recommendations to address our findings. The relevant agencies have accepted 8 recommendations in full or in part and have not accepted one recommendation.
1. Our key findings
What we examined
Our audit followed 2 lines of inquiry:
1. Are government advertising and communications compliant with relevant standards and legislation?
2. Do agencies monitor, understand and report on their advertising and communications spending?
To answer these questions, we examined:
Appendix C: Review scope and method
Download a PDF copy of Appendix C: Review scope and method.