KEY POINTS:
A Labour plan for state funding of political parties would give it and National $1.14 million a year each from taxpayers.
Money would be allocated to any registered party on the basis of party votes won in the previous election. The payments would be tied to the consumers price index, and so would rise at the rate of inflation.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Jonathan Mosen
There will be a massive backlash to this initiative, as already evidenced by the majority of comments here. However the proposed measures are essential for the well-being of our democracy. It's vital that the views of every New Zealander, regardless of financial means, are taken into account by politicians when policy is being written. The actions of the Exclusive Brethren in 2005 took us one step too far down an American-style track of wealthy interests seeking to have undue influence on the democratic process. As a taxpayer, I have no objection to funding all parties with proven popular support, even if I don't agree with them. I'm reminded of the classic quote, "I disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it". The funding talked about is a tiny sum in exchange for the sanctity of the democratic process. Better that than what Winston Peters used to call "the few and the very few" shutting out the rest of us from policy formulation.
Don
Before the last election, I noticed a picture in the Herald of Ms Clarke, Dick,The then Minister of Fart Tax, & the head of Transit NZ holding shovels of dirt standing in front of Aucklands western ring route promising they would "Get Auckland Moving". Since then Transit NZ has run out of taxpayers money, the Govt has said the only way to complete it on time is to Toll what we are already supossed to be paying tax for, the traffic is getting more unbearable by the day and the other Sunday while up Mt Roskill I noticed no one was working on this top priority light speed project and now they want more money for themselves.
Kiwi Lisa
Why on earth should taxpayers be forced to subsidise political parties? That means that even if a person doesn't like this and that party he/she is nevertheless forced to subsidise that party via taxes. Now, that stinks! This is totally and utterly undemocratic to force people to subsidise parties other than that they vote for, if they vote at all. Thus, if people wish to donate funds to any political party let them do so personally. But to fund political parties through the taxes is utterly despicable and only helps the big parties obtaining more funds, whereas new or smaller parties have to fight a constant battle to survive. Subsidising political parties through the taxes is vile and undemocratic. Because the money would be more needed in health care and education. And, if a political party cannot pay its own way let it die a natural death, just like any other business enterprise.
Michelle
No Way! Would much prefer our taxes being used to fund healthcare, education or a better state pension than being handed to political parties. What controls is there to ensure this money would be spent appropriately? And besides if the government feels it has spare taxpayer money that it can divert to grants to itself and other political parties, how bout they return it to those who paid it to them in the first place.
Gavin
No way, having already stolen $7-9 billion in overtaxing hard working New Zealanders, politicians need to get their hands out of our back pockets. Taxation is theft and a society to campaign against such should be established. It would form the abbreviation TITS.
Raj Subramanian
Our $860,000 first, please, before Labour party goes bankrupt and Helen Clark goes to UN as Secretary General. Sorry,her deputy can't pay back from "Cullen Fund".It is meant for Pensions, not for Political Parties. Next budget we dont want to see surplus, as the surpluses make them think it is gifting money. Hey, it is our money. Please make it earn in double digit. Then we can think about political parties.when you people come up with this proposal in your next election. We dont want this kind of proposals in-between elections. Make it an election issue. That is democracy.
David White
No. If your policies are any good, people will support your party. With their own money, too. If not, you deserve to sink and die. And it is also time that the govt (ie the taxpayers) stopped funding the unions -- they can raise money from their own members -- only for the unions to fund a certain political party.
Nigel
In today's news alone 2.3 million was spent on advertising for ACC which "is a state-owned monopoly, there is no competition". Labour wants to spend another 3.19 million on political party promotion while my parents who have paid taxes all their lives have had to pay $30,000 of their savings for essential surgery or wait for months in pain on public hospital waiting lists? Personally I think the 5.49 million would be better spent on some lessons in common sense.
Collette Geard
I am completely opposed to my taxmoney going to the political parties. Let them work for it like we do. I am appalled at what this Govt is putting foward of late. I will not be voting for them this time round or for the parties that side with them in this or the smacking bill.
Bill
Why would I want my taxes to be used to support the Labour party, or the Greens, or some of those other lost soul parties? If I really believe in a cause, I will be prepared to contribute directly, as I have done in the past. Sure, the financial and membership support for parties at an individual level is down on what it has been in the distant past. That is simply an opportunity for an innovative party to reinvent their fundraising so that they survive. Business has to do this all the time.
Peter Caulton
This party public funding proposal will make it even harder to ever get a true democracy free from the divisive petty squabbling of political parties as it completely rules out funding for independent candidates. If you have been paying attention you will have noticed that western democracy at the moment must be the biggest sea of mediocre fevered egos on legs the world has ever seen and it is political parties that have made it so. Is there one real leader out there? There is only one way to realise true democracy and that is to start promoting and voting for good independent minded Kiwis in our communities with the qualities of common sense,common decency,vision,imagination and integrity who are independent of any party controls and can speak their mind without fear of retaliation. These folks would never enter politics if they were forced to become members of political parties and kowtow to the likes of Frau Clarkski and her gang. Her government displays little common sense because the leader is an individual who basically never left school before entering politics. You can teach political science, (the science of backstabbing) and knowledge, but you can't teach common sense and wisdom. We need MPs with the same level of excellence and commitment to New Zealand we expect from our sportsmen and women and you won't find them in political parties. Vote for good people.
Paul Brown
Given the quality of service this and previous governments have given us what makes them worthy of a guaranteed income. I also have concerns about police raids on political offices (very Robert Mugabe). At the risk of offending the Green and the Left of Labour the American model looks way more attractive - if you can't raise the money your popularity is questionable as would be your right to be in parliament. PS Why should it be tied to the CPI - it's not like our incomes are.
Colin Geddes
No No, a thousand times no. Why should I as a taxpayer support half a dozen political parties who I do not respect? It is so easy to spend other peoples money. Let all political parties raise their own funds and support themselves financially as I am prepared to do for those whom I may support. It is not necessarily the same party each election as it depends on how I judge their performance over the previous 3 years. How democratic is it to be forced to support ideology one may detest?
Eric
Sort of reminds me of those jokes that used to circulate re the Los Angeles police department - 'The best government money can buy'. It's no good complaining what a bunch of crooks and liars we have as a government - we voted them in, or at least that's what good old proportional representation gave us. Let's see just how many people remember the graft and corruption of this government when it comes around to the next general election. Move over - more snouts need to get at the trough!
Carol
I agree with the words of Thomas: "Why should parties be 'granted' money to advertise and promote themselves? Taxpayers money belongs to the public, not for the 120-odd politicians and their self serving interests." Why do we have the system we have, where people get paid to promote their own interest rather than the countries. Lets look at a new system. A non-partisan system, where government policies are decided by direct democracy, each candidate for office runs on her or his own merits rather than as a member of a political party. So instead of an adversary system they all work towards the country and the people.
NeillR
Having stolen $860k from taxpayers at the last election, it's little wonder Labour want to legitimise their pre-election gorge. Instead of another dip into the trough they might ask themselves why no-one apart from the EMPU wants to donate to their cause. If they'd put as much zeal into running the country as they do in ripping it off, they might just get the donations they covet.
Zpete
This is just a case of sour grapes and jealousy on the part of a floundering governing party.Shame on you Helen Clark and your party.
Why should the taxpayer pay to keep you in a job if they do not wish you to be there? People should have the right to support those whom they wish to govern. More Labour constricting our democratic rights. Next there will only be even numbers of footy club fans, supporters allowed into games! Getta life Ms Clark and co, be fair.
Sean
What's the bet that Labour use this $1.1M fund to pay the money they stole from the last election? They will get away with not paying back the money they never intended to repay in the first place. If you accept this and can't see that this government has its head in the clouds, then you deserve what you get. If you can see through their blatant thievery then use the power you have and vote for change don't let them get away with this!
Ray
Tis is not just a blatant attempt at theft of taxpayers money. More importantly it is one more step towards Labour's vision of the removal of the division between political party (IE Labour)and the State. Labour is both morally and virtually financially bankrupt. They lack the courage to fight the next election using the resources their supporters are prepared to give them.
David
I support taxpayer contributions to political parties provided it is to all registered political parties and is awarded based only on votes received. We already have state funding of parliamentary political parties through parliamentary services (giving them a huge advantage over other parties). We also have broadcasting allocations to political parties. If parties receive funds according to votes they will be more not less inclined to listen to public opinion. Without state funding of parties the 2005 election fiasco with National relying on third parties such as the Exclusive Brethren will occur again. Business lobbies such as the tobacco industry will continue to donate money to political parties anonymously and will hold significant influence over parties instead of voters. State funding will address this problem.
Mallory Eades
More of our freedoms stolen by the socialists who think it is their god given right to rule.The smaller parties would be crushed. If this system were acceptable every party that has a person standing in all electorates should have access to the same funding. Perhaps the Exclusive Brethren were just a little early. We may all have to participate in a similar way to be able to express our views. Good prospects for organisations like the Residents & Ratepayers Association.
Thomas
Why should parties be 'granted' money to advertise and promote themselves? Taxpayers money belongs to the public, not for the 120-odd politicians and their self serving interests. It's not like the politicians are poor, they had very substantial salary rise in recent times, and if they are not confident enough to put their money where their mouths are, why should we?
Simon Davies
Outrageous,as if we dont give enough already in the form of air travel,superannuation and perks for MPs. To be dipping their fat sticky fingers into the trough for more is just simple greed. And why should they get topped up to the consumer price index?, I only got a 1.6 per cent pay rise this year,why should they get 3.8 per cent or more on top of their hefty salaries which always attract a 5-10 per cent pay rise. At Air NZ, a government owned enterprise, they are taking pay cuts! ..They are simply having a laugh at our expense,lets boot this lot out. Helen and her gang have obviously been pigging out on chocolate at easter and now want more. The feeding frenzy is over,lets change this government and its slack attitude to those of us who put them there. I am voting National next time..Both votes.
Kate
No way! What about people waiting for operations? What about schools that dont have enough teachers or facilities? The list goes on and on.. Say no to Labour!
Samantha Jones
This proposal to waste taxpayer funds on political parties is absurd. The money would be much better spent settling healthcare workers contract disputes such as the lab workers and radiographers. I find it insulting that the funding would be CPI adjusted and increase with inflation while healthcare workers have to go on strike to even get sub inflation pay rises. Junior doctors had to settle last year for a CPI adjusted pay cut and had to strike to avoid a reduction in work conditions. Its all too obvious why Helen Clark apparently doesn't have the money to avoid these disruptive strikes when politicians instead prefer to line their own pockets first. Labour has lost touch with what the public values as important.
Wendy
I think it's strange that while Labour wants to prevent someone from giving large amounts of money to a party they support, at the same time they want to use taxpayers money to help a party that the taxpayer does not support. It just doesn't make sense, unless this is simply Labour working out the best way for them to get ahead in election spending?
Tony
The Labour party is on the verge of bankruptcy - they held their Big Whip Around but couldn't raise enough money to pay back the $860k they have promised to pay back. So they're $860k in the hole before they even start thinking about the next election, and how they'll promote their lies to the voters! Little wonder they want to get their snouts in the trough at the expense of the taxpayer. And how do they explain this away? By blaming the Exclusive Brethren? Yeah right! This isn't about transparency of support - it's pure and simple compulsory taxpayer-based fundraising to get Labour out of a funding crisis hole that they dug for themselves.
Eddie
I feel a Tui Billboard coming on, What a crock! No way should the taxpayer be paying for this scam!
Carole
Definitely not! Get out and do your own fundraising.!!
Cedric
Load up the gravy train ... all aboard!
Claire
I am strongly considering talking to the House of Representatives shortly about raising a citizen initiated referenda leading into a petition against political parties receiving state funding. I think the only way the NZ public will ever change these inappropriate activities is provide a signature.
A Tang
Whoever that came out with this idea is the biggest joker in the world. This is the craziest idea I have ever heard in my life. No, don't waste the taxpayers' money please!
Callum
No, I do not believe this is justified in any way. Also how can they justify having it linked to the consumer price index when things such as student living costs are not and as such have been the same for I believe it is 13 years now.
Hugh Reid
I do not want any of my tax money going to any political party not of my choice I believe it is my decision whom I support. There are lots more worthy causes who need funding such as health,and education.
Frank
The proposed legislation "Labour plans big taxpayer grants for political parties" is essentially already in place and just needs titivating to use future grants of taxpayer money to repay the taxpayer's money they stole. You will recall that the taxpayer has been owed Labour's overspending of over $1M. at the last election, and this illegal act was legalised by Government in "The Appropriation(Parliamentary Expenditure Validation) bill. It could not be paid at the time because the Labour party was allegedly bankrupt.
T.J. Burdett
No way. Not for any political party. If it so important to raise so much money let the politicians ( many of whom are now so overpaid for the amount of effort they put in? ) dip into their own pockets for funding. It's about time this Government left the overburdened taxpayer alone and just got on with the job of governing in our supposed democratic manner.
Matthew Webster
I believe that Parliamentary parties have earned the trust of a proportion of voters and therefore should be able to communicate (not engage in electioneering) to their constituents on genuine issues of public importance. However I am totally opposed to State funding of political parties as it entrenches the laziness of not getting out and convincing people that your policies are the best policies for the country. Use the existing systems, for example media and public meetings: I hadn't noticed any 'broad appeal' political party go out of existence because they didn't have state funding! Forget this idea Labour.
Harold Merriman
Any attempt by this government to level the playing field is bound to be met with howls of protest from the privileged, so I'm picking this measure will be the subject of sustained and vitriolic attack until it becomes law. But in today's world, effective media coverage costs a lot of money, more than most parties can be expected to raise from fundraising. So state funding of parties' election spending has become a necessary evil. If large media organisations would have it otherwise, then perhaps they should look at discounting or donating their services on an impartial basis to political parties pro bono publico - for the public good.
Andrew Atkin
Maybe we should just outlaw advertising for political parties altogether, and get them to make their case online? Why should we tolerate being manipulated with marketing at all?
Mary Hamilton
If they force this through (with or without the collusion of other parties), you can bet your bottom dollar we are heading for disaster. My, how Helen wants to be the dictator!
Scott Robertson
I see inflation has hit election funding theft. We only had $800k stolen last time, now it's a $1.13M rort! Should help people to make up their minds come election time, shouldn't it!
Peter Hall
Hell no! Enough taxpayer money is wasted now. If they want money get out and fundraise, after all they started user pays. That 10 million would be better spent on health or education, not a bunch of bludgers.
Thomas
Think for a minute: One, money will be allocated to parties based on how many votes they got in the last election. Two, the more money you have, the more advertising and influence you have, so you are more likely to get elected (see the US as an example). Three, the incumbent party will get the most money and therefore it will be very hard for an opposition or minority party to succeed. So--taxpayers will be funding the dismantling of the democratic process. Don't let this happen.
Sophie H
Labour is absolute pathetic. All this is is just a massive forced donation to a political party. We should be able to choose what parties (if any) we make personal donations to.
Skpp
Another classic example of how taxpayers money will go down the drain and the beneficiaries are the great politicians who can even think of it."God save the taxpayers."
Joseph Francis
This Government is making me sick to the stomach. As though they don't already gouge us enough in taxes, they want more! I wish we could have a snap election now and get rid of them; they've been at the public trough too long.
B Harding
I definitely do not want to subsidise any party in politics. If they want the job let them pay for it out of their own perks, not my meagre pension.
Adam Johnston
It is ironic that having been found to have spent illegally $800,000 of taxpayer funds on their last election, Labour wants to change the law to take more than that every year. Labour has no mandate for such a proposal and therefore should campaign on such an issue at the next election. I believe this to be a desperate act from a party that is broke. Shades of Robert Mugabe perhaps?
Ljubisa Pavic
No way! We all have to sell our skills and time on the marketplace before we can get any money. So what right the Labour party has to get my and your money for just existing? It looks like they are really scared of losing next elections now, and trying everything possible to remain in driver seat. Shame on you Helen!