15 November 2007

Release the electoral finance papers, Minister

Labour is suppressing the release of official papers behind the controversial Electoral Finance Bill.

"The public is entitled to see the advice that the Ministry of Justice has given the Government on these election finance changes. The Ministry is the Government's key adviser on constitutional and electoral matters.

"If these internal reports were full of glowing praise for this bill, then you can bet the Government would have released every single page in a shot.

"But Labour is suppressing the official advice received by the Minister of Justice.

"The papers must be damning in their criticism of Labour's attack on democratic values. Why else would they be delaying their release?"

Mr Ryall says he expects Labour to provide the information after it is too late for the public to consider them in the context of the anti-democratic bill, which is expected back before Parliament soon.

"Labour doesn't want New Zealanders to know what official advice they have received. They want to keep the public in the dark. The Minister won't even confirm that the Government has ignored Ministry warnings and advice.

"If there's nothing to hide, then Labour should release the papers!"

National sought these papers in July, and subsequently complained to the Ombudsmen.

ENDS

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