Chief Executive Certification for Government Advertising Campaigns

Instructions for completion:

This Chief Executive Certification template relates to advertising campaigns above the value of $250,000 conducted by agencies subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

The Certification is to be completed by the agency Chief Executive Officer only after final materials relating to a proposed campaign have been considered by the Independent Communications Committee (ICC). Following this consideration, the ICC provides a report to agency Chief Executives on compliance with principles 1 to 4 of the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by Australian Government Departments and Agencies (Guidelines).

The Certification Statement may be expanded to address any additional matters or sources of advice that the Chief Executive relied upon in taking the decision to certify compliance with the Guidelines.

The completed and signed Chief Executive Certification document (not including these instructions) is to be placed on the website of the agency/department responsible for the campaign as soon as practicable after it begins appearing in the media.

Questions on completion of this template should be addressed to the Department of Finance and Deregulation on (02) 6215 2677.

Certification Statement - SmartravelIer Campaign: Phase III

I certify that the Smartraveller Phase III campaign complies with the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by Australian Government Departments and Agencies (Guidelines).

This certification takes into consideration the Report of the Independent Communications Committee, which indicates the Smartraveller campaign, in their view, complies with principles 1 to 4 of the Guidelines, dated 28 March 2012.

My certification has also been informed by advice and evidence of compliance with the Guidelines provided by officers within Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for the design, development and implementation of the Smartraveller campaign.

I certify compliance with relevant legal and procurement matters relating to the presentation and delivery of the campaign (principle 5 of the Guidelines).

Dennis Richardson
Secretary
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

4 April 2012

Chief Executive to check below as appropriate.

Principle 1: Campaigns should be relevant to government responsibilities

The campaign relates to policies or programs underpinned by:

[not checked] legislative authority, or

[not checked] appropriation of the parliament, or

[checked] a Cabinet decision which is intended to be implemented during the current parliament.

Suitable uses for government campaigns include to:

[not checked] inform the public of new, existing or proposed government policies, or policy revisions

[checked] provide information on government programs or services or revisions to programs or services to which the public are entitled

[not checked] inform consideration of issues

[checked] disseminate scientific, medical or health and safety information, or

[not checked] provide information on the performance of government to facilitate accountability to the public.

Principle 2

Principle 3: Campaign materials should be objective and not directed at promoting party political interests

[checked] Campaign materials are presented in objective language and are free of political

[checked] Campaign materials do not try to foster a positive impression of a particular political party or promote party political interests.

[checked] Campaign materials:

• do not mention the party in government by name
• do not directly attack or scorn the views, policies or actions of others such as the policies and opinions of opposition parties or groups
• do not include party-political slogans or images
• have not been designed to influence public support for a political party, a candidate for election, a Minister or a Member of Parliament, and
• do not refer or link to the websites of politicians or political parties. argument.

Principle 4

Principle 5: Campaigns must comply with legal requirements and procurement policies and procedures

[checked] The manner of presentation and the delivery of the campaign complies with all relevant laws including:

• laws with respect to broadcasting and media
• privacy laws
• intellectual property laws
• electoral laws
• trade practices and consumer protection laws, and
• workplace relations laws.

[checked] Procurement policies and procedures for the tendering and commissioning of services and the employment of consultants were followed and there is a clear audit trail regarding decision making.