14 February 2006

Brownlee’s desperation misses the facts

Labour MP Pete Hodgson said today that Gerry Brownlee’s desperation to generate a statement a day on political advertising is becoming farcical.

“Gerry Brownlee’s latest outburst claims that the Prime Minister refused to meet with the Auditor-General.

“The facts of the matter are that the Auditor-General had met extensively with Trevor Mallard and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff in the process of drafting a report on government and parliamentary party advertising.

“The Auditor-General then offered to meet with the two major parties to discuss his report’s findings, or instead refer the report to all parties for comment.

“Labour’s view was that he should refer the report to all parties for comment. Unlike National, we thought all parties should have equal chance to comment That is what happened.

“His findings are now being discussed by all parties through the Parliamentary Commission. That is entirely appropriate.

“Sadly, Mr Brownlee neglected these facts in his latest spleen venting exercise,” Mr Hodgson said.

ENDS

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