- Pat Joyce
To illegally overspend a small amount could be due to just sheer incompetence. But to unlawfully spend by $800,000 can only be due to a deliberate act of dishonesty and corruption by our ruling "Liarbour" Party. With just 40-odd thousand votes separating the two main parties, Liarbour's illegal spending calls the whole election result into question. Helen Clark simply bought her way back into power unlawfully using taxpayer's money. She has an unlawful mandate and her corrupt government does not deserve the confidence of New Zealand, if we are to remain a fair, democratic and corruption-free country. The only right way ahead is to call for a fresh election. If Clark truly feels she has the support of the people, she would do so to clear the air. If she does not, obviously she knows she bought the last election and would suffer accordingly at the ballot box.
- Darren Greenwood
What good headlines this issue is, presented by the media in the most biased way possible, for the sake of that headline. Labour got there full entitlement and spent it. No more no less. National got there full entitlement and spent it. No more, no less. Obviously when the Auditor General issued his warning before the election, 8 of the 9 parties after legal consultation with their legal representatives decided that the auditor general had it wrong, because this is the way everyone had used these allocated funds since the inception of these rules. National, the odd man out did not need to take this route because they were already getting $1.2 million extra from the Eclusive Bretheren. Not much has been said about this. this has not been investigated. Why? Since you are (part of) the media and are beating this up, please explain.
- Kevin
I urge anyone who cares about the state of politics in New Zealand to make it clear that they disagree with any validating legislation or paradigm shift in electoral funding. It is these two issues which are the real worry that has come out of the election overspending issue, much more so then any inappropriate spending of public money. Validating legislation is wrong. Here it is retrospectively looking at an unlawful (to use the terms of the public finance act) act and saying that that act was ok, despite the fact that it was not ok when it was done. This attacks the very heart of the rule of law; the fact that every one, most importantly the government and those who are in a position of power, are equally subject to the same law as those they rule. Retrospective validating legislation, especially in a manner such as this, is essentially an abuse of the power to rule.
- Mark White-Robinson
It is unbelievable that most people here have opinions when they really don't understand the whole story. Yes, it was tax payer money, but it was already allocated to parties to use to run electorate offices etc; now it says clearly that this money should not be used for electioneering. What Labour and other parties, did was they used this money for exactly that. Labour used it to print its pledge cards. Now the money was already allocated to the leaders budget, so the money was already there; its just like having 2 bank accounts, one to pay small expenses and one to pay mortagage or something, now if one account does not have enough money, I would use money from the other account if it had a surplus. So the problem is not with Labour spending the money, but what the rules are; someone should get their act together and come up with simple and easy to understand legislation around running electorate offices, and election campaigns.
- Mel Stewart
How can there be a genuine misunderstanding between parties over the rules? They wrote them. Also, I'd like to thanks Kevin Brady for standing in the tide of abuse for so long, in the public interest, to highlight the wrongdoings of our self serving elected officials.
- Nigel Kelly
The bleatings by the National Party supporters in this forum are pathetic. Now they are calling for new elections on the back of a flawed report by a Government Department. Get over it guys - you lost the last two elections fair and square and with Don Brash as leader you will lose the next one.
- Bill Jordan
This country needs a new prison for politicians who broke the rules.
- Hork
There is absolutely NO way for any New Zealander to make an informed decision on this spending row based on the media coverage and politician comments. Each politican has gotten the best out of their spin doctors, so in every case the public gets a selective reading of the report. Let's take one example to show this isn't as black and white as the media makes it seem. It seems as if the Green Party was dinged for putting out an issue of their regular newsletter "Green Times" (published 2 to 4 times per year) in the 3 months prior to an election. As the "Green Times" regularly makes arguments for Green policy, could the one issue that was put out last winter electioneering"? Sure. Is it a regular communication with its members? Yes. So is it now "illegal" to spend on wide communications with your party members if an election is coming up?
- Jeremy Gabe
Winston Peters and the others who cannot accept that public money is not available for their private purposes need to be aware that their credibility is already damaged and that further attempts to delay or avoid repayment will simply reinforce the views that most of us hold of their integrity. We are being taxed out of existence, hospital lists are getting longer, the politicians want us to pay separately for infrastructure development while the Government has an $11b surplus and these greedy b------- want the public to pay for their election expenses - something ain't right!
- Alistair Rowe
Why do political parties spend money on advertising? To influence people to vote for them. Why do they spend so much on it? Because they think it works. Labour's extra spending may have bought it extra votes. If this spending was illegal then Labour has gerrymandered the election results. An election is required...and a credible police investigation.
- Emmet
I believe that the Auditor General should also be looking at the National Party contribution of $1 million plus from the Bretheren through leaflets that were distributed. It is a disgrace, the the old boys network works again, I thought that had gone, appears I was wrong.
- Peter Nicolle
Having read the comments below shows me nothing but how easily bought the people of this country are. The amount of vitriolic anti-Labour sentiment in here is quite intriguing, especially when attached to the (very rare) reason for such feelings. It would appear that labour bashing has become as trendy as cargo pants and spiced girls once were, with people seemingly jumping on the bandwagon with no more encouragement than the (empty) promise of tax cuts, much like dogs chasing a steak. If this is the attitude of the average voting public then I feel very scared.
- Chris Bull
There has been a lot of unwarranted speculation about replacing the untested leader of the National party: Helen Clark's personal approval of the election overspending is a warrant for her caucus to look to other leadership of Labour. NZ needs a healthy Labour party, for all it's faults, and the Prime Minister is a liability to this.
- Kevin
I vote NO CONFIDENCE in this government, and call for a fresh election. Helen's chickens are coming home to roost, and her party are a bunch of bad eggs. Helen has a string of things behind her that shows she is above the law, eg Paintergate, the speeding Motorcade, an MP taking bribes for immigration favours, an education minister that was a bully when he was a teacher, a conservation minister that goes against the environment court findings, grossly overspending on the election... Oh yeah, rich when she slangs off at Brash for listening to the Exclusive Bretheren, who also have a right to a political voice.. The PC brigade have screwed this country long enough, time for a change, back to the basics... let's have an election...
- Paul G
I am very worried that people will be taken in by these events, and we will end up with a National government in the next election. People will look back in history at these consecutive Labour terms with Helen Clark and realise what a difference her government made while they were in.
- Karmen Martin
I'm glad that Labour has finally agreed to pay back the amount owing, but I remain disgusted by the way they've handled this. At every turn, they've tried to dodge the responsibility, striving to take the heat off themselves by slinging mud at National and shouting 'Exclusive Brethren!' every time the focus went back to election spending. Even now that they've agreed to pay it back, they're still not admitting they were wrong. The sheer arrogance displayed here by the Labour Party has been appalling. It's past time they started listening to the people they're paid to serve.
- Caroline
The inapposite blaming of the Auditor General for the lack of clarity leading to the unauthorised expenditure in the last elections is totalling inappropriate for the Speaker of The House. Her views that there should be validating legislation will bring this Country to the full glory of Zimbabwe politics. The use of taxpayer money for political ends and her defense of that illegal action speaks only of her commitment to the Labour Party above the interests of New Zealand Democracy. Shame, shame on this fallen Lawyer.
- David Lee
Get Over It.
Election spending didn't sway this election - they were voted in on performance and the fact that those they were competing against were plonkers. Don Brash?... Helen should pay him ..he is her best PR machine.
- Edie Scadden
Kevin Brady didn't blink as some might have hoped he would ... democracy is safer as a result. Indians One Chiefs Nil. I hope we see more of it.
- Larry Mitchell
Yet again rules and regulations are difficult to understand, why does this happen so often. Surely it would not be impossible to foresee problems and make everything clear. National certainly hadn't a clue but then they had the dreadful Brethren looking after them. However I do wish they get on with the job they are supposed to be there for.
- Robin P
Helen Clark should resign after so many issues of her operating above the rest of society and getting away with it.
- Bryan Pollard
Well what can you say about these guys, if it was anyone else they'd be in jail. Typical government us as taxpayers pay their wages to look like real idiots on TV like a bunch of kids arguing amongst themselves. It's the year where all the politicians dirty laundry gets hung out for the nation to see. I use to support Labour for quite a number of years but what I've seen of them so far doesn't impress me whatsoever. Grow up you lot!!!
- Ati Iese
What are we doing letting politicians spend our money getting themselves elected in the first place? That is the outrage. The candidates and/or Parties ought to be responsible to raise their own funds. I agree with others who say that the election was "won" under false pretenses and now that it has been shown to be the only honourable thing to do is for them to either resign en masse or the Governor General to dissolve Parliament immediately. I also can't understand the complaint of some about anonymous donations to one or other political party. What is so wrong with that? If someone who has the whit to become well off enough to be able to afford to make a donation to a party whose policies they see as best serving the interests of the country then it is likely those policies will benefit us all. Sour grapes legislation to outlaw this will impoverish this country still further. Good on the Labour faithful for helping out their MPs. Maybe that's a good cause to which you can direct your tax cuts - oh I was in another reality for a moment.
- Grant Alexander
It's all going pear shaped for poor old Helen. She desperately wants to leave power in a blaze of glory. Unfortunately she will be remembered as just another Muldoon… Retrospective legislation and a public disrespect for offices like the Attorney-General coupled with a HUGE ego. Her buddy Margaret Wilson hires a lackey for a legal opinion that surprise, surprise backs her stance. Helen has always worked in the public sector and regards taxpayers' money as her personal stash. Small wonder that she is outraged about having to pay our money back.
- John
What a pity that of all the responses by the leaders of all the parties only Don Brash was ignorant enough to try to make political capital out of this. The others all assumed their responsibility.
- D C Shields
It is a great injustice that there is nothing punitive in the refunding of the overspending. Perhaps paying twice or three times the amount overspent back to taxpayers may dissuade our so-called leaders from repeating their inept bungling. Further, perhaps the taxpayer should fund all election spending but limited entirely to so much per candidate. Any expenditure over this amount could be made a breach of law making politicians subject to the laws of the land. In fact why have politicians at all - they are such a bunch of snotty-nosed children.
- Don McGhie
The pledge card was just small fry to the real election overspending on the working for families TV campaign that must have cost millions. How about a new election and lets invite the UN to oversee it!
- John McKnight
Can we deduct the tax payers funds Helen spent illegally from the election result? If so National wins......
- Akl
Helen should ask Taito Phillip Field to help raise the funds.
- Mld
I will be donating to the Labour Party's appeal. Because I agree with the Party's argument that on a number of points there has been a breach of natural justice. I think the Labour Party has been influenced by a ridiculous poll result which asked people to respond spontaneously to a simplification of the issue by asking the question which virtually was "should Labour repay the money to the taxpayer". And because of political opportunism this poll result has been given unwarranted emphasis. The question was tantamount to asking "should individuals pay less tax". A rhetorical question in the minds of most people. The only party to have handled this issue in a professional manner has been NZ First. The National Party [and the media] was disgraceful in the way it either leaked or acted on the leaked "preliminary findings/confidential discussion document" of the Auditor-General and on this sensitive issue wilfully denigrated NZ's sovereignty to the world at large. All other affected parties have made premature statements and decisions. The determinations of the Auditor-General do not represent a conclusive findings of the NZ judiciary and I think NZ First will endeavour to gain further authenticity.
- Downball
They have seen sense at last. Having lived in Zimbabwe and seen how Mugabe changes the law whenever the courts rule against him, l was beginning to wonder how Labour can claim to be leading a democracy when they behave just like him.
- Shumba
About bloody time!
-Chris
Well, the report has been tabled and Labour has agreed to pay back the money found to have been improperly spent. The honourable thing is being done. So when is National going to come clean on the hundreds of thousands contributed to their campaign courtesy of the Exclusive Brethren and various secret trust funds?
- Michael Wood
Why should the middle class pay for a politician's mistake? Why are we the fool's? They went into politics, they should pay for their mistakes from their own pockets. Why should we, the middle class, be the victims all the time? The people on the benefit will not, the people in prison will not, just the people who pay the biggest tax percentage will, why?
- Bruce Hickman
The PM can't complain. The report is plain: Speaker Wilson was slack as Minister of Parliamentary Services and let the party's "authorise" their own advertising etc., despite that it was being paid out of the Parliamentary Services vote, for which the Speaker is responsible! The Auditor warned of this slackness much earlier. Also, the rules are plain in the Manual given to all members. They have chosen to take the risk. That in itself shows lack of integrity. Their duty is to know the law and follow it. If they have no understanding of that they have no place in public office. The Speaker and Government must resign, the money repaid and hide their faces in shame.
- Kevin O'Brien
This is an absolute outrage! This corrupt, desperate Government who's only interested in retaining power at all costs has no option but to call a fresh election. If not, its a sad day for democracy. The worry is, is what spin will they put on this to weasel their way out of it.
- John Middleton
Holding another election is what is needed now. Enough of all the "spin" - which is really another name for lies and deceit. Obviously, the Government, trying to be very clever, has us down as being totally naive easily manipulated.
- Ian Findlay
All parties should pay back all overspending of taxpayers money. However, that is not the only problem. The extra spending 'on behalf' of political parties by their lobbyists (the Exclusive Brethren for instance) should also count as 'election spending'. Further, all parties should have an absolute cap at election time for spending from ALL sources. That would mean that all election advertising would have to up front and transparent, as would all 'donations' (these are bribes frankly). The worst scenario is that we are influenced by the amount of money a party can afford to spend on advertising rather than by the policies themselves. In that scenario we could end up like the USA where massive corporate interests or large private lobby groups are able to control policy because they pay for the campaigns of the politicians and parties.
- Mike Breen
The relentless media coverage of the election over-spending is the price we pay for no large planes crashing over the last month...
- Terry Williams
It is unfortunate that the possession of a fine academic brain does not preclude the mind of a school bully and sneak.
- Ken Wortelhock
Totally unacceptable that it took so long to get labour to admit to its faults. Clearly however they were stung by a poorly set-up rulebook, as were the other parties. How many other screw ups will we endure before we get down to the real business of the government ie: fixing crime, health and the rail network?
- Jeff McGregor
We are absolutely impressed by the Prime Minister's explanation on TV3. Although we do not agree with all Labour's policies - who does - she is the best politician in this country. Her defence is clear, puts doubt on the Auditor General's verdict and leaves no doubt about her honesty and sincerity. WE will support labour financially if called upon, even though we are not members of the party.
- M & H Riegstra
Our country is currently being lead by two parties who have blatantly gone outside the rules to ensure they gained or retained power. They now seek to change the rules to fit their behaviour. It is corruption of a scale not imagined possible in NZ. Paying the money back is not an appropriate consequence, the election result is void and the election needs to be re-run.
- Paul Collins
To over-spend $760k of our tax money to get re-elected the Labour party has to be either stupid or crooked. In either case it's not fit to continue running the country - we need someone in capable in charge.
- Ron Bruce
Can't believe the vitriol directed towards Labour. You want the alternative? We've got it here in Oz and it's all about the big boys lining their pockets. Be careful what you wish for!
- Michelle, Melbourne
The whole point is that the stench of dishonesty and/or corruption covers the whole of New Zealand. Is this what the nation needs? Since the previous election had definitely been bought by various means, for example relief of student loan interest payments, then this shows that the present regime ought, morally speaking, to call another election. God defend this wonderful country against another dose of Helen Clark and her cronies. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
- Christopher Miles
This overspending on election campaigning is a direct assault on free and fair democracy. The current government knew full well that in order to stay in power they had to campaign and promise very hard, and do what ever it takes to achieve that win. The consequences...... after the election is won..... is something they were happy to deal with after the win. For they know that the lax rules and wet bus ticket penalties for these actions, is worth the win. If nothing is done now to stop this practice, the governance of this country and its economical direction becomes nothing but a commodity for the power brokers and power hungry.
- Ivo Solleder
11.5 Billion buys a lot of pledge cards. How much better to use it for such apparently unimportant matters as health, police, infrastructure. It's our money. Pay it back, and GIVE US TAX CUTS NOW.
- Andrew
Basically an admission of guilt. What else have they got away with is the question.
-Murray
The reaction of the minor parties who are propping up the government will be very interesting. If they continue to support the govt, they will in effect be condoning Labour's behaviour over the election spending, and will be judged by voters accordingly at the next election. On the other hand, if one of these parties was to withdraw their support from the govt, thereby forcing a new election, they would receive accolades from voters for bringing some integrity back to NZ politics, and would no doubt increase their share of the vote accordingly. These minor parties in the coalition have to make a decision, and the voters are watching. Which way will they jump?
- Steve Houlihan
People who call the present situation corrupt cheapens the word, and the efforts of those who fight corruption. This is a difference of opinion after the fact. No party knowingly mis-spent public funds. Most parties will act in good faith and repay the money. All well and good. Corruption is about bribery and deliberate misuse of public funds for personal or political. There are plenty of corrupt regimes in the world but New Zealand is not among them.
- Roland
After such a close election it appears that Labour has cheated and there should be a re-election with the rules being the same for everyone.
- Joseph
New Zealand has been in Labour long enough, it is time to kick the bastards out. Helen Clark has the integrity of a politician and should be ashamed of herself. From falsely signing paintings, to speeding through traffic, to resorting to locker room diatribes and now, only paying because she got caught, shame on her and a pox on all politicians, National are no better. Dr Brash is a National disgrace. Enough!
- Richard Clark
Seems to be something odd here. Speaker Wilson on one hand says that the legal opinion she got from an external source shows that the Labour spend on the pledge card was legal, but also says that legislation is needed to validate the "legality" after the event. We're heading down a rocky road to "buying" elections (with public money) and then legislating to legalise the action after the event ...
- John Williams
Any future Labour politician will be in no position to criticise corrupt governments any where who rig elections and dont conform to western democratic processes. Or is it a case of do as I say not as I do!
- John Cook
Even the most loyal labour supporter must have lost faith in Helen Clark and her corrupt government. Clark seems to think she is above the law and this is totally unacceptable as in that way dictatorship lies. She knew exactly what she was doing as she did when the comments were made to Brash, she fully supports her shady bunch of cronies until they get found out and then she claims no knowledge - we're not stupid. The Field case is another example of corruption - and we are still paying for him to do nothing... Politics in this country has turned into a shambles with Clark attacking people and not focusing on the real issues. Likewise the Maori party becoming divisive and racist with Hone refusing to help anyone not on the Maori roll. How many politicians refuse to help anyone on the Maori and not the general roll? Haven't come across any. Of course labour will pay it back - but you can bet it won't be from their personal funds - but from a whopping great surplus floating around that should be put into health
- Jan
Helen knew it was wrong all along, and they have been caught with their fingers in the till. She would have been smarter to announce that they were paying it back before the Auditor General report came out today. And what sort of a wishy washy response is it from the Speaker. She should have made a stand and directed the parties to pay it back, and not this, well they are not required to pay it back, but they should think about it for public confidence. Stand up and be counted Speaker. Oh the Auditor General did 768,000 times.
- Alan G
The fact that most if not all the parties in the current parliament have been found to have misspent public money would seem to me to verify the claim that the rules for election spending were woefully unclear. It is cheap and arrogant to accuse every politician in the House from the Left to the Right of illiteracy and/or venality - these are people who put themselves forward for public office. They are not monsters, cretins or criminals and it is high time people stopped treating them as such. If the rules are unclear they need to be changed. Simple. And the fact that some parties have overspent more than others should not be an issue. The only reason the National party paid its overspend back early was because it bought them a lot of good publicity at a very cheap price. Now that Labour has stated that its overspend will be refunded, that should be the end of the matter. Given the bigger issues facing us and facing the world, this has, in the end, amounted to no more than a storm in a teacup.
- Harold Merriman
What about the dodgy practice of leaking a draft of the Auditor General's report on election spending to the National Party , a pretty dodgy practice in my opinion and certainly heads should roll in the Auditor Generals office over that issue. It is my understanding of auditors reports, that they should remain confidential until complete or released officially. Perhaps there was a hidden agenda there?
Also changing the rules of the game after the game has been played is totally dodgy, imagine if that happened after the All Blacks had beaten the Wallies in a Bledisloe Cup match and the IRB changed the rules on us and therefore the games result - I suspect any red blooded All Blacks supporter would be pretty irate about that !!
- Ian Morine
The pledge card told the electorate what the sitting government was already putting into play before the election. It was communicating decisions many under way before the election was called as a way to provide for stability that has so far proven beneficial to the country as evidenced by the continued government surpluses, low unemployment, growth and reasonable containment of inflation.
If we elected National we could not then hold them to account because they only put up billboards which were fatuous and divisive. What were the real market costs of these billboards? They were up for months and that would have cost millions. To say National's advertising budget was about a million dollars, including TV, billboards and newspapers, is simply not credible. The use of parliamentary funds in this case seemed appropriate - more so than hidden donations and partnership with the likes of Exclusive Brethren.
- Nicholas Alexander
Okay so labour is paying back the money. But where is that money coming from? surely it isn't coming straight out of the MPs bank accounts!Which means the tax payer is shouting the bill once again. So we are actually paying double then! haha!
- Nakul
The series of events clearly shows that major political parties and their leaders were well aware of their spending and were putting undue pressure on AG. All parties should pay back money they owe and further investigations shall be conducted to see any other wrongful doing to win elections. Thanks.
- Alkesh
How is it possible that the government can take tax payers money over spend it by 444k on a pledge card then have a 11.5 billion surplus but people are getting cut from Hospital waiting lists and dieing because we don't have the money to subsidise a breast cancer pill. Its just wrong.
- Kyle
If Labour does not pay the money back and introduces retrospective legislation to cover the illicit spending then it sends a clear message to all public servants and the elected who come after that it's ok to be seen as fraudulent since they will have the power and position to escape the consequences. Of course this will never apply to taxpayers.
- Lyn Dear
The Labour Party's response to this issue has been very odd. Helen Clark has behaved very foolishly over a paltry sum of money. She needs to get used to the idea that its ok to be wrong sometimes - and is actually a sign of strength.
- Andrew Montgomery
The whole episode brings our parliament into disgrace. The only redress? Call an election immediately!
- Grahame
I agree with other views here. Since the election was on fraudulent grounds, a new one should be called.
- Kiwi TeeTee
Now Margaret Wilson is complicit in this fiasco with her fudging excuses - responsibility ultimately lies with Helen Clark - it was her face on that pledge card and she has demeaned the office of Prime Minister and politics in general. She should resign but I doubt she has the integrity.
- Alex M
How could a whole bunch of !$%^&*(unprintable) politicians do not understand simple English? After they robbed the taxpayers' money for personal gain, some of them still unashamedly and arrogantly claimed that they have done it appropriately. Shame on politicians? A person of high virtue shall resign from his or her office immediately and apologise to the national without delay instead of looking for excuses and validating act to save his or her face.
- Kuan Yap
The election should be null and void, no one party should be allowed to spend more than any other party. It amounts to election fixing. This kind of behaviour really flie
