MP protests at 'propaganda'

The National Party has asked the Auditor-General to investigate what it says is Government propaganda paid for with public money.

MP Judith Collins said 15,000 copies of a calendar that cost $45,000 to produce were sent to community organisations, district health boards, health centres, and MPs to distribute.

It was paid for from the Government's Ministerial Services budget and marks out dates on which new laws came into effect.

"The calendar is blatant Labour Party propaganda and it's outrageous that it has been paid for out of the public purse," Ms Collins said.

Governments are allowed to use public money to publicise policies. Opposition parties routinely claim they cross the line.

- NZPA