By AUDREY YOUNG political editor
MPs will have to publicly declare who pays for their private overseas travel and which companies lavishly wine and dine them under a proposed new law that some MPs call a "nosy parker's" law.
Act leader Richard Prebble says "It's a nosy parker's bill, it's the politics of envy" aimed at Act.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he can see no reason to comply with the provisions of the bill - for which there is no penalty for non-compliance.
"When you have a Government who has gone to extraordinary lengths to disguise where they have got their party political funding from, then the whole thing is a hypocritical lie."
The Member of Parliament (Pecuniary Interests) Bill was introduced yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen, who said it was a measure of transparency.
Ministers have to declare their assets and interests to avoid conflicts of interest.
The bill not only extends the obligations to all MPs but broadens the declaration to travel and hospitality received over $500, and debtors and creditors over $5000.
Spouses' interests do not need to be declared.
Under the new law, suspended Act MP Donna Awatere Huata would have had to declare who paid for her controversial trip to Australia to attend a fashion show.
Act MP Rodney Hide would have had to declare a trip to Fiji to be guest speaker at an investment seminar.
Act leader Richard Prebble would have had to disclose that his trust had owned a flat in Pipitea St - which later turned out to be the party's Wellington electorate office.
United Future leader Peter Dunne, who supports the bill, would have to declare that the Mormon church paid for his trip last week to Utah.
Dr Cullen would have had to declare that businessman Doug Mowers paid for a private course of study he undertook in the United States when he was in Opposition.
New rules
MPs will have to declare:
* The name of every country visited, the purpose of travel and the name of any person who contributed to travel and accommodation.
* The name of every person in debt to an MP for more than $5000, including rate of interest.
* The name of each creditor to whom the member owes more than $5000.
* MPs' debts of more than $500 that were discharged by another person.
* Gifts, including hospitality, valued at more than $500.
* Companies on which the MP is a director or controls more than 5 per cent of votes.
* Every other company in which the MP has an interest, and a description of its activities.
* The name of each trust in which the MP has a beneficial interest.
* The name of any trust or organisation in which the MP has an interest which receives Government funding and a description of its activities.
* Every parcel of property of which the MP is an owner or leaseholder.
* A description of any payment received by the MP for activities in which the member is involved other than those set down under the ordinary salary and allowances.
'Nosy parker's bill politics of envy'
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