Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Something fishy at ‘The Standard’

Bill English MP
National Party Deputy Leader

24 January 2008

Something fishy at ‘The Standard’

National Party Deputy Leader Bill English says Labour must still reveal the full extent of its relationship with an ‘independent’ anti-National web-site, which has been busted using an internet protocol address owned by the Labour Party.

“Either Labour knew what was happening and approve or they didn’t. If it was all kosher, why are technical experts today saying this covert web-site has been relocated?

“Who is behind this web-site? There is widespread speculation that trade union supporters of Labour are covertly helping to resource ‘The Standard’. If this is true, then there are more questions for Labour to answer.

“Union members may resent their fees being used to run a covert political campaign.”

Mr English says assurances from Mike Williams that any expenses incurred would be included in Labour’s electoral return need to be challenged.

“Labour told the Electoral Commission before the 2005 election that they would include the pledge card spending in their election return. After the election, Labour and Helen Clark reneged on that promise.

“They wanted the issue buried until after the election, so made promises they had no intention of keeping.

“Later, in a self-serving display of arrogance, Helen Clark went on to pass retrospective legislation to make legal, what was illegal.”

Mr English says in the case of ‘The Standard’, Labour has been caught out doing what it has accused others of doing.

“It’s a classic double-standard. Labour’s support for this unauthorised, anonymous, covert campaign makes a mockery of its promises for electoral transparency.”

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.