KEY POINTS:
Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton has been reported to the police by the Electoral Commission for a second potential breach of the Electoral Finance Act.
Last month the commission decided an ad run by the party in the Southland Times about the ban on BZP in party pills was electioneering. Because the ad did not carry a promoter statement - the name and address of the person responsible for it - the commission reported it to the police.
Last night the commission said Mr Anderton's newsletter JIM's eNews, issued on May 16, did not carry a promoter statement either and was also being reported to the police. The commission does not decide if the act has been breached. It leaves that to the police.
Mr Anderton said the commission's latest action was bizarre.
"I am extremely surprised by this as the alleged 'publication' is just a collection of press releases sent to people who asked for it to be emailed to them," he said.
"These are press releases published as part of my normal business as an MP and a Cabinet minister."
Mr Anderton, third ranked in the Cabinet because his party is in coalition with Labour, said there was no doubt about the identity of the author of the press statements because he was quoted in them.
"I think the commission is taking a view of the Electoral Finance Act that will not stand up to any reasonable scrutiny and is an extraordinary waste of everybody's time."
Mr Anderton said he would vigorously defend his position.
When the commission reported him to the police over the Southland Times ad, he said the act should be reviewed.
Mr Anderton voted for the legislation when it was passed last December.
- NZPA
