19 October 2006

Reimbursement of unlawful expenditure

The Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, reported to the House today that all parliamentary parties, except New Zealand First, had indicated they would reimburse the expenditure found to be unlawful by the Auditor-General.

New Zealand First had indicated it would need more time to receive legal advice on the Auditor-General’s report on advertising expenditure incurred by the Parliamentary Service in the three months before the 2005 general election and the Speaker’s report responding to the Auditor-General’s report.

‘Once they receive that advice, New Zealand First has indicated it will inform me of its intentions as soon as possible,’ Ms Wilson said.

‘Once I receive that notification, I will report to the House.’

Ms Wilson’s report today followed her statement last week that parliamentary parties were required to tell her whether they intended to reimburse the unlawful expenditure.

ENDS

© Scoop Media