Micro messaging challenge for Liberals

The federal Liberal Party believes business needs to address the threat of micro campaigns against coalition policies that have its support.

Jimmie Rivera, left, trades punches with Thomas Almeida

During the WA state election campaign, Labor styled a specific message to fans of UFC. (AAP)

During the West Australian state election campaign Labor styled a specific message to fans of fight phenomenon UFC.

By using social media and targeting only the fans the then-opposition was able to tell them the party would consider bringing a UFC fight event to Perth.

It was just one of hundreds of micro campaigns Labor and its third-party supporters - such trade unions and special interest advocacy groups - are using to talk directly to voters and over the heads of mainstream media.

It's a trend worrying the federal Liberal Party which traditionally has relied on one or two big campaign messages to sway voters.

"They're probably gone," outgoing acting federal director Andrew Bragg told Sky News on Sunday.

Old-style campaigning was being replaced by daily messaging based on rich data mined from social media activity.

In the case of the UFC campaign, Labor could message fans directly without letting the rest of the community know what it was promising to do.

Mr Bragg believes it is also time for business to look how it campaigns in support of coalition policies, and take on third-party groups.

"It's not to barrack for the Liberal Party," he said.

It was about explaining directly to voters how, for instance, a cut in corporate taxes, less regulation and free trade would benefit families "sitting around the kitchen table".

Mr Bragg said environmental groups were spending $80 million a year opposing coalition policies while receiving a $20 million taxpayer benefit because of their non-profit status.

Trade unions benefited from a whole range of "fuzzy payments" from industry superannuation funds which they then used to campaign against the coalition.

"There are parts of the playing field that are not level," Mr Bragg said.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Micro messaging challenge for Liberals | SBS News