Labor denies $13.7m is for carbon tax ads

The federal government has rejected coalition claims it squirrelled away $13.7 million in the budget to fund an advertising campaign to promote its proposed carbon tax.
The budget papers make clear that Labor set aside money for a "climate change foundation campaign" in this financial year and 2011/12.
But Finance Minister Penny Wong told parliament on Wednesday the $13.7 million wasn't new but rather a "transfer of already announced funds between years".
What's more, the money was only to be used to increase understanding of climate change, she said.
"It does not include, on my advice, paid advertising.
"No decision has been taken by the government on any climate change advertising campaign."
The government first announced money "for a national campaign to educate the community on climate change" in last year's budget.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said on Wednesday the money for 2011/12 would be used for activities such as website development and the printing of information brochures.
Like Senator Wong, he insisted that "no decision has been taken by the government on any climate change advertising campaign".
But the opposition is not convinced.
Climate action spokesman Greg Hunt believes the Gillard government is preparing to launch a multi-million dollar advertising blitz.
"Labor has made sure to squirrel away $13.7 million for an advertising campaign on the carbon tax," he said in a statement.
"It will mean taxpayers paying for carbon tax ads on the TV, radio and newspapers."
Mr Hunt said it was a joke that the government didn't include the carbon tax in the budget but did shore up money for an ad campaign.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard in March revealed the climate change department had examined options for public communications.
That involved contact with public relations agencies "as is standard practice", she said at the time.