Cannabis Party in a huff over by-election debate

In a last puff effort the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP), which won just 0.41 per cent of the party vote in last year's national election, has complained to the Broadcasting Standards Authority about being left out of a Mt Albert by-election candidate's debate.

The debate on the Back Benches show was broadcast on TVNZ 7 - a channel only available to those with Freeview digital television.

ALCP's total vote in the 2008 national election (9515) was less than former Prime Minister Helen Clark's majority (10,351) when she held the Mt Albert seat.

ALCP complained that their by-election candidate was not included in the debate when candidates from ACT, the Greens, Labour, National and United Future were invited.

All those parties are represented in Parliament.

ALCP said these candidates had already received "large amounts" of media publicity.

"The ALCP is not a fringe party.

"By not allowing a balance of views from across the political spectrum TVNZ has denied candidates from minor parties the right to express their views."

- NZPA