Labour’s arrogance continues

Bill English MP
National Party Deputy Leader

18 July 2007

Labour’s arrogance continues

Labour's failure to consult National, Act and the Maori Party on election financing legislation can only mean the proposed laws will favour the Labour Party, says National Party Deputy Leader Bill English.

He is commenting on upcoming legislation to change the rules for financing elections.

“Labour's original proposals were designed to bail them out of the problems caused by misusing $800,000 of taxpayers’ money to pay for their pledge card and other advertising.

“They have been forced to drop their state funding proposals, but the rest of their proposals are designed to clear out the competition so they can fill election year with government-funded advertising.

“We have always said there is a case for reform, and any change needed the support of most parties in the Parliament or it would look like Labour is writing the rules to suit themselves.

“Unfortunately, this is exactly the road Labour is going down.

“Leaks from the Government show Labour has bought support from United Future, NZ First and the Greens by giving them more say over how television time is allocated for campaign advertisements.

“National understands that, in return, these parties will support Labour's draconian proposals to ban third-party campaigns - with an exemption for unions - and to make only the smallest political donations anonymous.

“I would have thought that Labour learnt a lesson when it lost its effective majority on the medicines legislation because it wouldn't listen to other parties.

“Now they are doing it again by trying to push through these self-serving changes.”

ENDS