Finance not aware of intergenerational ads

The Department of Finance has no knowledge of whether the Abbott government is about to embark an advertising campaign to promote the soon-to-be-released intergenerational report.

Treasurer Joe Hockey said last week that the release of the five-yearly review would coincide with a "very deep engagement program" with the community.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is concerned this means a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign.

Finance secretary Jane Halton said she was not aware of any campaign when asked by Labor senator Joe Ludwig, during a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday, if she had received any such materials.

Liberal senator Michael Ronaldson representing Finance Minister Mathias Cormann intervened.

"It has been long standing practice ... there has never been discussion in estimates about what may or may not be future advertising proposals," Senator Ronaldson reminded the former Labor minister.