Conservative MPs warn that a lobby group's AI-generated campaign may hinder their chances of winning a majority in the upcoming state election.
Key facts
- •Advance is targeting 20 seats currently held by Labor in the upcoming Victorian state election.
- •The campaign features an AI-generated ad that promotes the message to “put Labor last.”
- •Advance is seeking $350,000 in donations to fund the campaign across various media platforms.
- •Coalition MPs argue the campaign is unhelpful and contradicts their own messaging to voters.
- •Electoral analyst Ben Raue noted that the campaign could hurt the Liberal and National parties by failing to consolidate the right flank.
Victorian Coalition MPs have labeled a pre-election campaign by the conservative lobby group Advance as “bizarre,” warning it could jeopardize their path to a majority government. The campaign centers on an AI-generated advertisement targeting the Labor Party. While the Coalition argues the strategy undermines their own messaging, Advance has dismissed the criticism, describing the Coalition's position as a misunderstanding of the current electoral landscape.
By the numbers
Campaign Strategy and AI Usage
Advance is launching a campaign across 20 suburban and regional seats currently held by Labor, which it describes as a trial for the upcoming federal election. The effort includes a 60-second AI-generated video featuring Premier Ben Carroll and his predecessors, Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews, with the slogan “put Labor last.” The lobby group is seeking approximately $350,000 in donations to fund the campaign, which will utilize social media, streaming services, mobile billboards, and print media.
Internal Friction and Electoral Concerns
Coalition MPs expressed concern that Advance’s messaging contradicts their own, which emphasizes that voting for the Liberal and National parties is the only way to defeat Labor. Some sources within the party suggested Advance is prioritizing its own federal agenda over the state election, potentially aiding One Nation in marginal seats like Pakenham, Bass, Hastings, Melton, and Yan Yean. An Advance spokesperson defended the strategy, citing polling that suggests a significant portion of Coalition and One Nation voters might preference Labor, and criticized the Coalition for not polling further ahead.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian AI.
