Nearly half of the advertising budget of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) since 2022 has been allocated to promoting the live sheep export ban, according to the Australian Live Export Council (ALEC). A $2.3 million tender awarded to Universal McCann is highlighted, with DAFF’s total advertising spending exceeding $4.66 million in this period, including campaigns for Bird Flu and biosecurity. Critics, including ALEC’s CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton, argue the campaign primarily targets urban sympathizers rather than affected farmers, while DAFF asserts it aims to inform the supply chain and impacted stakeholders.
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Trump meeting cancellation ‘always a chance’: treasurer
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's planned meeting with President Donald Trump at the G7 summit was canceled due to Trump's early departure amid Middle Eastern tensions. Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasized ongoing efforts to engage with the president, while opposition leaders criticized the Albanese government for not proactively strengthening ties with the U.S. regarding tariffs and the AUKUS deal. Need More Context?