Act says free bank mailout violates rules

By JOHN ARMSTRONG

Act is accusing Alliance leader Jim Anderton of abusing free parliamentary postage by using a mailout to drum up customers for his People's Bank.

Act finance spokesman Rodney Hide said Mr Anderton had written to thousands of New Zealanders telling them the bank would open early next year.

He had included a self-addressed "no stamp required" postcard to himself as Deputy Prime Minister which asked recipients to fill out their name and address and tick a box declaring: "Please send me information on setting up an account at the People's Bank."

Mr Hide said the parliamentary frank was paid for by taxpayers to allow the public to communicate with MPs at no expense.

"This is a rort. The parliamentary frank is not available to promote commercial products.

" Jim Anderton must not be allowed to get away with it."

Mr Hide said he had raised the matter with the Speaker and would write to the Auditor-General.

Mr Anderton dismissed Act's claims as nonsense, saying Mr Hide was simply scared the bank would succeed.