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Politics

Campaign groups deploy digital ads ahead of Victorian state election

Third-party groups are spending tens of thousands on campaign ads, according to The Guardian.

The short version

  • Fix Victoria and Better Victoria have launched digital advertising campaigns ahead of the upcoming Victorian state election.[The Guardian]
  • Fix Victoria, which is run by former senior figures from the Institute of Public Affairs, has featured AI-generated imagery in its social media campaigns.[The Guardian]
  • Populares estimated Fix Victoria spent nearly $100,000 on August ads, while Better Victoria spent roughly $40,000.[The Guardian]
  • Victorian electoral rules exempt groups from registering as third-party campaigners if they avoid explicitly promoting or opposing specific candidates or parties.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • Fix Victoria and Better Victoria have launched online advertising campaigns ahead of the Victorian election, with Fix Victoria incorporating AI-generated imagery.[The Guardian]
  • Fix Victoria is directed by former senior staff members of the conservative thinktank Institute of Public Affairs.[The Guardian]
  • Populares tracking figures indicate Fix Victoria spent just under $100,000 on ads in August, while Better Victoria spent around $40,000.[The Guardian]
  • Under Victorian election law, groups running political advertisements are not required to register as third-party campaigners unless they explicitly endorse or oppose a candidate or party.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • Gideon Rozner declined to confirm to Guardian Australia whether he maintains an active membership in the Liberal party, despite previously posting online that he was rejoining.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.