Appendix A: Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities (February 2015) Introduction This document in its entirety forms the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities (Guidelines). These Guidelines set out the principles applying to information and advertising campaigns undertaken in Australia. Non-corporate Commonwealth entities (entities) under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) must comply with these Guidelines. Entities conducting information and advertising campaigns must comply with all relevant policies and processes issued and amended from time to time by the Special Minister of State, the Minister for Finance or the entity responsible for such policies, currently the Department of Finance (Finance). The Special Minister of State can exempt a campaign from compliance with these Guidelines on the basis of a national emergency, extreme urgency or other compelling reason. Where an exemption is approved, the Independent Communications Committee will be informed of the exemption, and the decision will be formally recorded and reported to the Parliament. The Independent Communications Committee considers campaigns and provides advice to Executives on all advertising campaigns valued at more than $250,000 or where requested to do so by the Chief Executive. Underlying Principles In general terms, a campaign is a planned series of communication activities that share common objectives, target the same audience and have specific timelines and a dedicated budget. An advertising campaign includes paid media placement and an information campaign does not. The underlying principles governing the use of public funds for all government information and advertising campaigns are that: members of the public have equal rights to access comprehensive information about government policies, programs and services which affect their entitlements, rights and obligations;
Appendix A: Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities (February 2015) Introduction This document in its entirety forms the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities (Guidelines). These Guidelines set out the principles applying to information and advertising campaigns undertaken in Australia. Non-corporate Commonwealth entities (entities) under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) must comply with these Guidelines. Entities conducting information and advertising campaigns must comply with all relevant policies and processes issued and amended from time to time by the Special Minister of State, the Minister for Finance or the entity responsible for such policies, currently the Department of Finance (Finance). The Special Minister of State can exempt a campaign from compliance with these Guidelines on the basis of a national emergency, extreme urgency or other compelling reason. Where an exemption is approved, the Independent Communications Committee will be informed of the exemption, and the decision will be formally recorded and reported to the Parliament. The Independent Communications Committee considers campaigns and provides advice to Executives on all advertising campaigns valued at more than $250,000 or where requested to do so by the Chief Executive. Underlying Principles In general terms, a campaign is a planned series of communication activities that share common objectives, target the same audience and have specific timelines and a dedicated budget. An advertising campaign includes paid media placement and an information campaign does not. The underlying principles governing the use of public funds for all government information and advertising campaigns are that: members of the public have equal rights to access comprehensive information about government policies, programs and services which affect their entitlements, rights and obligations;