The Digital Hijack, “The Premier Needs To Come Clean”

Following Tasmanian Times’ expansion of TDMG’s initial investigation reveals the Premier’s office engaged in a strategic media takeover raising questions on the potential misuse of public funds.

Newly released RTI documents and website screenshots confirm the existence of this takeover just one or two days prior to the election, this following a campaign that began with a no confidence motion in Premier Rockliff.

RTI invoices expand upon the already established $35,000 deal signed by the Premier’s office in May, raising the total to over $52,000, including extensions that were allegedly signed the very day the government was collapsing.

Allegations have been raised by the Greens and Labor that by buying every ad slot effectively wiped out political competition from opposition voices or independent groups from reaching the platform’s audience.

“The Liberals have used Tasmanian taxpayers’ funds to drown out opposition voices on the platform during a critical time in Tasmanian politics” – Vica Bayley (Greens MP)

The records suggest that the Premier’s office signed these contracts between 10th-11th June. Those were the days the Premier refused to resign after a following no confidence vote that led to the July snap election.

Both Labor Shadow Minister for Justice and Integrity Ella Haddad and Acting Greens leader Vica Bayley have put serious questions to the government, over alleged anti competitive behaviour to drown out opposition voices.

“His office knew Tasmanians were about to be sent to the polls, yet they signed off on extra public spending to lock up a 100 per cent share of voice on a major digital platform.” – Ella Haddad MP

Following this, Mr Bayley has accused the government of failing to be honest or transparent with Tasmanians, following a string of events since 2024 putting the government’s integrity and public trust into question.

This revelation follows initial investigations by TDMG regarding the Premier’s relationship with Pulse Tasmania, Liberal family ties and other controversial revelations.

Both TDMG and the Tasmanian Times have submitted reports to integrity bodies, raising concerns over the government’s conduct.

Concerns have been raised particularly over advertising discounts that favoured the Premier’s office, and whether such benefits might unintentionally benefit the governing party during the election. All of this puts into question fairness and transparency over public public funds moving into private media companies during the campaign period.

Following this revelation the focus now shifts towards legal threats against both the Tasmanian Times, and TDMG. the TT has been met with assertions of an Australian Press Council Complaint while TDMG anticipates future defamation case with Pulse Media Group. Both outlets believe that this action is an attempt to supress findings that are of public interest.  

According to the Tasmanian Times, the government was “defensive” in their response to this revelation, while officials have mentioned the “unnecessarily complex” nature of the RTI act and “distractions” which delayed public exposure.

This investigation now expands from purely industry practices and standards to concerns over government misconduct and politically anti-competitive behaviour

We Will Not Stand Down

TDMG will continue our investigation along with the Tasmanian Times despite pressure mounting from the government and individual actors. TDMG is conducting it’s investigation because it is in the public’s interest and will continue to report on this matter for the forseeable future.

If you would like to read the publication, and Ella Hadadd’s statement on the matter please visit this link:
https://tasmaniantimes.com/2025/12/rockliff-liberals-accused-of-digital-media-election-hijack/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOxkcxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeB6aojP4rYIlTjlDfpCrZBLYu9Q0Nzq37CH2pHb91jCW1NaUneba1hPZe7yc_aem_LGR_skdd47Xi3xA0X_mDrA