Minister for Health orders department to stop paying 'influencers' to promote government campaigns.

The Australian Government’s Health Department has spent over $800,000 in the past 18 months from taxpayer funds to pay “influencers” to support their campaigns via sponsored posts, the Daily Telegraph has disclosed. Over $600,000 of this was used on the #girlsmakeyourmove social media campaign.

The publication revealed that some influencers were being paid up to $3000 per post and that there were over a hundred different influencers who had been remunerated by the Government to post pictures on Instagram that encouraged their followers to exercise.

A hot tea, the sunset and beach walks just have something really aesthetically pleasing about it haha :) Not letting this cold weather stop me from enjoying the outdoors! I love supporting the @GirlsMakeYourMove campaign because not only does it motivate me to get out and find new ways to be active, but I can influence you guys to do the same :) Follow @GirlsMakeYourMove for more inspiration #GirlsMakeYourMove #GirlsMove #ad

A post shared by Twin 2 ???? (@ashleymescia) on Jun 17, 2018 at 12:47am PDT

I try and get out on these little beach walks every day. Even though the weather sometimes makes it a little difficult I’ve never come home from a beach walk/run and been disappointed that I went. I think it’s so important to get out in the great outdoors and breathe in that fresh air rain, hail or shine. I know I always feel 100% revitalised from it and it’s a great way to keep my body moving even when I don’t particularly feel like it. I’m such a proud supporter of the @GirlsMakeYourMove campaign and this is just one way that I can help show you my little tips and tricks to getting out there and feeling happier and healthier! ✨ For other tips follow @GirlsMakeYourMove #GirlsMove #GirlsMakeYourMove #ad

A post shared by STACEY. (@staceyyallen) on Jun 17, 2018 at 4:11pm PDT

Questions were raised about the suitability of these influencers, and the actual benefit it provided for the health of Australians. There was also concern over the actual influence some of the Instagrammers had, due to a lack of ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ on their images.

Furthermore, the appropriateness of some of the influencers was doubted. One of the women employed was former Big Brother star Lina Grant, who is also an ambassador for alcohol company Jacob’s Creek prosecco Spritz. Another person hired by the government to promote the campaign via their social media had previously been criticised for making very racist comments (which she has apologised for since).

Following the revelation, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt ordered his department to cease all payment to social media influencers.

“At my request, the department is pausing and reviewing any use of influencers,” stated Mr Hunt.

“I think that all taxpayers would think there are better ways to see taxpayer funds used than paying social media influencers hundreds of thousands of dollars to boost their Instagram likes.”

“I have an issue with the department having spent taxpayers’ money in this way in the first place. But if they’re going to do it, they need to be a lot more careful about the kind of people that they promote.”

It’s easy to get out and move. It might be a bit harder in winter but once you’re out and moving it makes it all worth it! Visit www.girlsmove.com.au and follow @GirlsMakeYourMove for daily tips and inspiration. #GirlsMove #GirlsMakeYourMove #ad

A post shared by STEVIE ALGER (@steviealger) on Jun 30, 2018 at 11:43pm PDT

Days that start and finish by the ocean ????????I’m stoked to be supporting the @GirlsMakeYourMove campaign as I’m such a big believer in getting active with your friends! There’s nothing I love more than jumping in the ocean after a long day, especially when my girl Caitie is with me – she’s been so amazing teaching me how to surf these past few months, and while I still fall nearly as much as I stand up, I absolutely love it and always have so much fun! Last week I got the best wave of my life ~ literally couldn’t wipe the smile off my face all day! ???? ✨????‍♀️ Have you guys tried surfing? Would love to hear your experience! Get inspired and find an activity you love as much as I love to surf ~ follow @GirlsMakeYourMove and check out www.girlsmove.gov.au #GirlsMove #GirlsMakeYourMove #ad ????

A post shared by l u c y l u ???? (@_lucyinthesky) on Jun 28, 2018 at 12:26am PDT

As reported by the Daily Telegraph, Lumio did a study on 19 of the influencers that were hired by the Health Department in the ‘Girls Make Your Move’ campaign, and found that only three had engagement levels high enough to be valuable to an advertiser.

In support of the new Australian Government Campaign @girlsmakeyourmove, I thought I’d go for a run this afternoon, a change from the usual gym environment I’m used to. If you’ve been following my Instagram for a while, you would have noticed I’ve been on a healthy binge for the last year or so and I credit some routines and lifestyle changes that have kept me going. Keep finding an activity you enjoy and keep it up! #girlsmove ????

A post shared by Chloe Ting (@chloe_t) on Apr 15, 2016 at 5:17am PDT