The Guide Dogs Victoria debacle is a reminder of the thin line between politics and business
Pure Public Relations founder Phoebe Netto investigates the importance of political neutrality following the CEO of Guide Dogs Victoria, Karen Hayes, being stood down after using her platform to endorse federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
Guide Dogs Victoria’s Karen Hayes has had a harsh reminder of the importance of political neutrality when an ad featuring her endorsement of Liberal Party deputy leader Josh Frydenberg led to her swift dismissal from the charity.
Karen Hayes’s ad was incredibly short-sighted, not just because of the negative public reaction, but the impact on Guide Dogs Victoria’s political leverage. The role of a charity CEO is to win funding and support from both the government and the public. How are Guide Dogs Victoria going to effectively lobby or work with a Labor government (should they get in this election time – and even if they don’t) with a clear endorsement for the Liberals fresh in everyone’s minds?
Charities must learn to work effectively with all political parties at all levels of government. When done well, charities gain leverage, build momentum, and can even play the parties off of one another. By fronting this ad, they risked losing these important tools.
