Greens' funding lawful

The Government's funding of the Green Party in Parliament has been deemed lawful, but risks breaking the rules about how taxpayers' money is spent, says the Auditor-General.

National deputy leader Gerry Brownlee complained to the government watchdog saying it was wrong for the Green Party to receive ministerial funding through their support deal with Labour, when they don't have to answer formal ministerial questions.

The Greens are receiving limited ministerial funding for staff as part of their role leading the Government's energy efficiency strategy and Buy Kiwi Made campaign. The money comes from funding for ministerial services through the Internal Affairs Department.

Under the law, money that Parliament approves for spending can only be spent for that purpose.

Mr Brownlee said the money could not be spent for ministerial services, as the Greens were neither ministers nor in the Government.

The Auditor-General said the three staff in question in fact worked for the Prime Minister even though they were based in the Greens' office.

As a result there was no breach of funding rules, but the report said there was a "blurring" of roles and there was a risk their roles could become a breach of the rules.

As a result, the department has rewritten the job descriptions and agreed to monitor the work being done.

Mr Brownlee said the report vindicated his complaints and showed Labour took a "fast and loose" approach to the rules in order to keep its grip on power.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the arrangements had been valuable in providing stable government.

She said the funding complied with the rules and there was no need to take the matter further.

- NZPA