Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has promised to clamp down on taxpayer-funded political advertising if the Coalition wins government, as the campaign ad blackout begins.
Under Australian Electoral Commission regulations, an election advertising blackout comes into place from midnight on Wednesday to allow a three-day cooling-off period in the lead up to polling day.
"I certainly find anything that smacks of political propaganda absolutely offensive when it's funded by taxpayers," Mr Abbott told reporters, while campaigning in Gladstone, Queensland.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Mr Abbott promised "very substantial cuts" to government advertising under a Coalition government.
Labor's current arrangements, including an independent committee to oversee advertising, had not been effective, he said.
"I'd be looking at tightening up those arrangements."
Mr Abbott especially noted the $38 million campaign the government intended running to promote its dumped resources super profits tax.
The campaign was dumped ahead of negotiations with big mining companies that result in a modified version of the tax.
