“Kevin Rudd has used emergency powers to bypass campaign advertising guidelines, which would usually stop a Government using taxpayer money for this sort of shameless self-promotion,” said Mr Baldwin.

“It is an absolute disgrace that Kevin Rudd will use $38.5million in taxpayers’ money to promote his reckless and dangerous new mining tax.

“At a time when councils such as Maitland, Port Stephens, Dungog, Great Lakes and Gloucester are absolutely crying out for roads funding, it is disgusting to see this $38.5million wasted.

“That amount of money would pay for vital road upgrades which could truly save lives in the Paterson electorate.

“Kevin Rudd stood in front of the Australian people just this month and said there was no money left for new roads funding in the budget, yet now he seems to have millions of dollars for misleading propaganda.

“Kevin Rudd’s deception is astounding.”