The Wire

In a press conference today, ALP Treasurer Wayne Swan called large mining corporations “champions of privilege,” in part referring to the big money they’re spending on anti-mining tax ads. Mining magnates have spoken out against Swan for his attacks on their use of money and power to sway public opinion. Corporations do have a disproportionate amount of money to spend on ad campaigns, compared to the Australian government.

But some experts say that rather than limiting the ad spend of private stakeholders, the government should be looking at ways to empower the average citizen.