Auditor-General to probe campaign spending

Controller and Auditor-General Kevin Brady will look into election campaign spending.

Mr Brady said he would consider whether publicity material funded from parliamentary appropriations was within the scope of the spending authority given by Parliament.

Police had investigated six parties for overspending or using allegedly illegal advertising material during the campaign but decided not to prosecute.

Among them was Labour which did not declare the $446,000 from its leader's fund it spent on its pledge card when it submitted its return to the Electoral Commission.

Following complaints before the September general election, Mr Brady said he would review all spending of public funds by MPs and parliamentary parties on communications in the three-month pre-election period.

After the election, the Chief Electoral Officer referred a number of advertisements to the police for consideration of possible offences under the Electoral Act.

Mr Brady waited for the police to finish their work.

He said the inquiry was within the scope of his duties as Controller. He will report his findings to the House of Representatives.

- NZPA