Media Release

5 September 2008

ACT's Gross Hypocrisy

Not only is Rodney Hide’s complaint to the Police nothing but obsessive and attention-seeking behaviour, it is grossly hypocritical, says New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“To lay a complaint with the Police over something that is already being investigated by the appropriate body is a serious waste of Police time.

“More importantly, it is gross hypocrisy for Mr Hide to complain given his party’s track record – ACT had to be ordered by the Court of Appeal to provide a detailed breakdown of its 1996 expenses, but never complied.

“Here are the facts. ACT spent $1.65 million on their 1996 election campaign, far in excess of the $1 million cap at the time. Unlike all other parties, ACT would not provide a breakdown of its expenditure, and, in the words of an Electoral Commission spokesperson, “steadfastly refused to comply” with the Commission’s requests.

“After fighting a court battle with the Commission to avoid having to supply details of their expenditure, ACT was ordered by the Court of Appeal to provide a detailed breakdown, but never did so.

“Mr Hide, as ACT’s president at the time, was directly involved in this.

“Further, ACT never declared Bob Jones’ donation of $20,000 worth of office space, yet the media never mentioned it, even after I tabled evidence in the House.

“In a great irony, Mr Hide has just issued a statement stating that ‘MP’s, Ministers and political parties should not be above the law’, yet the facts make absolutely clear that ACT and Mr Hide have considered themselves to be above Electoral law.

“The situation is unbelievable, and only serves to highlight how desperate for publicity Mr Hide is, and how willing the media are to be taken along for the ride,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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