Treasurer Takes Aim at ‘Rabid Right-Wing’ Money Used in Victorian By-Election

Federal Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks during a press conference in Perth, Australia on Feb. 20, 2024. AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has criticised right-leaning advocacy groups for using advertising campaigns to influence a by-election in Victoria, saying there had been an “influx of rabid right-wing money” into Australian politics.

This comes as voters in the Victorian seat of Dunkley will go to the polls on March 1 to elect their new representative following the death of Labor MP Peta Murphy.

The by-election is considered the first significant test for the Labor government in 2024 after it introduced many major policy changes in recent months, including the revised stage three tax cut.

Some right-leaning advocacy groups, such as Advance Australia, have run advertising campaigns on social media and put up billboards to criticise Labor’s approach to the cost of living crisis.

In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the treasurer condemned Advance Australia’s political campaign.

“It’s made harder by this influx of rabid right-wing money that we’ve seen with the Advance campaign,” he said.

While Mr. Chalmers did not comment on political campaigns of advocacy groups and unions supporting left-leaning and Labor candidates, he believed there was an issue with Advance Australia’s approach to influencing voters.

“The sorts of advertising that we’ve seen from that group goes well beyond the acceptable norms of ... sensible Australian politics.

“We don’t want to see our politics go down that path, don’t want to see this kind of money decide elections and by elections.”

At the same time, the treasurer urged Dunkley voters not to be swayed by the Opposition’s messages.

“I say to the people of Dunkley: don’t reward [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton’s nasty negativity or his lack of alternatives,” he said.

“They’ve got an important choice to make.”

Meanwhile, Advance Australia questioned Mr. Chalmers’ motive in criticising the group’s advertising campaign.

“Why is Jim Chalmers worried more about Advance than the ordinary Australians trapped in the cost-of-living nightmare he has created?” an Advance Australia spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“It’s because he’s not on your side. Instead of tackling the cost of living crisis, he pushed the Voice to Parliament and is introducing a new climate tax on utes and big family cars.

“Instead of backing families and farmers, he’s on the side of the elites and activists.”

Vote No signage is seen at an early voting centre for the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 13, 2023. AAP Image/James Ross

Labor Not Ready to Negotiate with Greens on Central Bank Reform

Mr. Chalmers also said that the Labor government currently did not have any plan to negotiate with the Australian Greens Party in relation to the central bank reform.

In November 2023, Labor introduced legislation that would bring significant change to the structure of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the way it operated, including a proposal to remove the treasurer’s power to override the bank’s monetary policy decisions.

The Coalition and the Greens have said that they would oppose the legislation due to the uncertainty surrounding the new central bank system.

For Labor to pass the legislation, they need the support of either parties. However, the treasure has ruled out the possibility of cooperating with the Greens.

“That’s not my preference and it’s not it’s not something that I’ve been prepared to negotiate on,” he said.

“What I’m trying to do … is I’m looking for a good outcome. I’m not looking here for some kind of political wind that I’ve never seen in political terms.

The treasurer noted that Labor intended to work with the Coalition to solve the difference between the two parties.

“I'll keep trying to find that bipartisan landing point,” he said.

“My preference is to do that with [Shadow Treasurer] Angus Taylor.”