PSA opposes unlimited election spending by third parties

The Public Service Association says the government’s plan to allow third parties to spend as much as they want on election campaigns leaves the door open for wealthy groups to try and buy an election result.

The Government has announced its reform package for electoral finance laws. Its proposed changes include removing the cap on the amount third parties can spend on their election campaigns.

Justice Minister Simon Power says the government “will not impose expenditure limits on parallel campaigners.”

“We’re very concerned the government plans to allow third parties unlimited spending on their election campaigns,” says PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott.

“We oppose this move because its anti-democratic.”

“It allows groups with access to large amounts of money to try and buy an election result by bombarding voters with advertising in support of a particular political party or parties.”

“We have consistently called for a level playing field when it comes to election campaign spending to ensure wealthy groups can not have an undue influence in an election.”

The PSA made a submission in October last year as part of the government’s consultation process in its development of new legislation covering election campaigns and political party funding

“In our submission we called for election spending by registered third parties to be capped at $100,000,” says Brenda Pilott.

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