MEDIA ADVISORY
Ron Mark secret recording revelations require explanation

12 MARCH 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Taxpayers' Union is calling on the Government to 'please explain' following the partial airing of a previously secret recording of Minister for Veterans, Ron Mark, apparently threatening to pull taxpayer funding of a veterans group if its members do not get behind and vote for NZ First at the next election.

Responding to the story which aired on Newshub tonight, Taxpayers' Union spokesman Jordan Williams said:

"The suspicion NZ First ministers are buying votes with taxpayer cash appears to be confirmed in this recording. Just where is the ethical bottom line if its ministers can get away with being so blatant?"

"It doesn't get more 'ministerial hat' than a Minister for Veterans speaking to a taxpayer-funded veterans group. With his considerable Parliamentary experience, Mr Mark must know that linking funding to electoral support breaks every rule in the book."

"It would be helpful for Newshub to release the full recording so the Auditor General and Cabinet Office can assess what looks to be a prima facie case of buying votes with the taxpayer cheque-book."

ENDS

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