KEY POINTS:
An application by the Public Service Association to register as a third party under the Electoral Finance Act has been slammed by National state services spokesman Gerry Brownlee as showing that the public service is not politically neutral.
But PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott said the union would not be backing any party and wanted to err on the side of caution in the face of an uncertain law.
The union applied last Monday to register as a third party. That is now a requirement for groups or individuals intending to spend more than $12,000 nationally or $1000 in an electorate on election advertising that persuades people to vote or not vote for a particular party or candidate.
Mr Brownlee said many public servants "will be quite aghast at the decision and I am quite sure that the Public Service Association does not unilaterally represent the political views of public servants".
He said the move to register as a third party meant "the PSA have acknowledged the long-held view that they are an affiliate of the Labour Party and are coming to the rescue at a difficult time".
He said it was evident that the PSA had stood by while the public service had become more politicised "and I guess they have been happy to do that because of the fact that the Government currently pays for most of their union activities through a thing called 'partnership for quality' so I guess this is just pay-back".
Ms Pilott said the union had understood that if it wanted to campaign on ideas, it had to register in order not to break the law.
"It is already the case in fact that public services and the extent to which they are going to be funded or the value of them is already an election issue so I think it vindicates our decision."
She was referring to a speech last week by National leader John Key who promised to cap the number of public servants.
Ms Pilott criticised Mr Key's understanding of the public service and his use of statistics. But she said yesterday that the PSA would not be backing any party.
"Our line will be that public services are important and people need to consider that when they vote.
"We are extremely mindful of the fact that our members are in many cases public servants and the idea of political neutrality is a very important one."
She said it was new legislation and everybody was feeling their way.
"But our understanding is that if we want to participate in the election campaign in pursuit of particular ideas out there, then we are required to register."
