Hide in the clear over $100 'bribe' to voters

By FRANCESCA MOLD

Act MP Rodney Hide has been cleared of allegations that he tried to bribe or influence Epsom voters.

Alliance MP Grant Gillon laid a complaint this week with Chief Electoral Officer David Henry and the police alleging that Mr Hide breached the Electoral Act by offering a $100 garden voucher as a prize for people in the electorate who replied to a survey.

Mr Henry, in response to the complaint, said he would not take any action against Mr Hide because he had not breached the act.

Mr Hide's survey asked residents whether they thought he should contest the Epsom electorate at the next election.

Mr Gillon alleged that the offer of a prize breached sections of the act dealing with bribery and treating - offering food, drink or entertainment to influence how people voted.

But Mr Henry said the chance to go into a draw to win the garden voucher was an incentive for people to complete and return the survey, rather than an attempt to induce them into voting or refraining from voting.

He said the purpose of Mr Hide's questionnaire was not to procure his election but to obtain information on a range of issues.

Mr Hide said Mr Gillon and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton, who revealed the complaint in Parliament, should apologise for wasting police resources and Government time.

"They really are pathetic," he said. "They should get on and do their jobs like I do instead of dreaming up dirty tricks to 'get Hide'."

Mr Gillon said he accepted Mr Henry's decision.