The 2025 Australian Election Ad Wars: How Labor, the Coalition, and Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots Are Fighting for Your Vote

The TV Ad Battle: Labor Outspends, But Palmer’s Blitz Steals the Spotlight

In the 2025 Australian federal election, traditional TV advertising remains a heavyweight arena. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has poured 
5.8million ∗∗ intofree−to−airandsubscriptionTVads, outpacingtheCoalition’s∗∗4.2million spend. But Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots (ToP) isn’t far behind, splurging $5.6 million on TV spots filled with nationalist rhetoric and attacks on major parties. Palmer’s strategy? Saturation over subtlety—flooding airwaves with high-frequency ads during prime-time shows like Married at First Sight to ensure voters can’t escape his messaging.

shouting into a camera, surrounded by “Make Australia Great Again” banners. 

YouTube’s Digital Showdown: Palmer’s $4M Gamble on Misinformation

While TV grabs eyeballs, YouTube is where the ad war turns brutal. ToP has spent over**4.2million∗∗ontheplatformmorethanLabor$($2M) and the Coalition ($2.3M) combined. Palmer’s ads, like a misleading climate change clip from a 2004 documentary, have racked up 10 million views, despite scientists calling them “outdated” and “disinformation”. Unlike rivals using YouTube’s geo-targeting for tailored messages, Palmer opts for blunt, broad appeals—a “spray-and-pray” tactic that’s as controversial as it is costly.

shouting into a camera, surrounded by “Make Australia Great Again” banners. 

The 2025 Australian election isn’t just policy vs policy—it’s a clash of ad budgets. While Labor bets big on TV and TikTok, Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots floods YouTube with misinformation, proving cash and controversy still rule. But as digital targeting reshapes campaigns, one question lingers: Are voters buying the ads—or tuning them out?

Meta, TikTok, and the Rise of Micro-Targeting

On Meta platforms (Facebook/Instagram), Labor leads with 
700,000∗∗inspending,doublingtheLiberals’∗∗385,266. Meanwhile, Climate 200 and Teal independents invest heavily in hyper-localized ads to sway key electorates. But it’s TikTok where PM Anthony Albanese shines: his account (@albomp) earns 6x more engagement than rivals like Peter Dutton, leveraging viral sounds and relatable content to connect with Gen Z.

2025 Australian election TV vs YouTube ad battle: Labor and Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots clash

Controversy Sells: ToP’s Gender Ads Spark Outrage

ToP’s print ads declaring “There are only two genders” ignited fury, with advocacy groups calling them “dangerous” and “hateful”. Despite backlash, Palmer doubled down, spending $4 million on front-page newspaper slots and billboards. Critics argue these ads stoke division for attention—a strategy that’s backfired before (see: 2022’s COVID conspiracies). Yet, polls show ToP’s support remains negligible, raising questions: Is Palmer’s ad blitz a political play—or a vanity project?

2025 Australian election TV vs YouTube ad battle: Labor and Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots clash

The Future of Elections: Digital Dominance and Trust Deficits

With YouTube ad spend 20x higher than in 2022, this election marks a tipping point. Parties now allocate 40% of TV budgets to digital video, exploiting geo-targeting and real-time adjustments. But as Meta abandons fact-checking, voters drown in misinformation. Trusted channels like out-of-home (OOH) ads gain traction, but Palmer’s YouTube dominance proves one thing: In 2025, controversy and cash still drive the conversation

From TikTok virality to YouTube misinformation, the 2025 election redefines political advertising. Labor and the Coalition fight for trust, while Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots blasts divisive noise. In this digital showdown, the real winner might be the platform that masters both reach and relevance.