Green party biggest winner in broadcasting allocations

4.00pm

The Green Party emerged as the big winner when the Electoral Commission today announced campaign broadcasting funding for the election.

While Labour and National topped the list with $615,000 each, the Greens were elevated to the next tier, alongside ACT and New Zealand First, with $166,300.

In 1999, the Greens were upset when the commission allocated them just $43,333. That year ACT got $129,999 and New Zealand First $108,333.

The commission shared $2.081 million of taxpayers' money for the July 27 election between 14 parties.

It must be used for radio and television broadcasting. Parties can not buy that advertising from their own funds.

More than half of the allocation went to Labour and National, the two major parties. Both were given $606,659 in 1999.

The Alliance, which broke apart this year after being the third biggest party in Parliament, was allocated $100,000.

Allocations reflected a range of criteria, among them the number of MPs a party has and its level of public support.

The Alliance, which has been faring poorly in public opinion polls, was granted $194,999 three years ago.

Other parties granted funds were:

$75,000: Christian Heritage, United Future New Zealand;

$25,000: Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, Outdoor Recreation New Zealand;

$12,500: Libertarianz, Mana Maori, NMP, One New Zealand Party.

Ten parties were granted free time for opening and closing addresses.

Labour and National will have a 12-minute opening address, and a four-minute closing.

ACT, the Greens, and NZ First have an eight-minute opening address, with three minutes to close.

The Alliance get six minutes opening, and two minutes closing.

Other allocations:

Christian Heritage Party, United Future New Zealand (five minutes opening, 1.5 minutes closing);

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, Outdoor Recreation NZ (four minutes, one minute)

Commission spokesman Doug Eckhoff told NZPA the allocation process was faster than in previous years, due to the early election.

"It's a lot smaller time frame this year, so they've done it quickly," Mr Eckhoff said.

Submissions from parties seeking funds were heard over the last two days. Not all those contesting the election applied.

Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition Party was not eligible because it was not registered in time.

To be eligible a party must be registered, or be deemed to have nominated five candidates, at least three months before the dissolution of Parliament.

The Progressive Coalition was not registered until May. Parliament was dissolved yesterday.

The first opening addresses will be on TVNZ on Friday, June 28 between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

The first radio opening addresses will be carried on Radio New Zealand between 8.05pm and 9pm.

Labour will lead off both, followed by National, the Greens, NZ First, and ACT.

The Alliance, Christian Heritage, United Future New Zealand, Outdoor Recreation NZ and the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party will give their openings the following day.

All closing addresses will be on Friday, July 26.

- NZPA

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