GST – Doh!

A pretty big stuff-up from National in getting the broadcasting allocation mixed up so that $900,000+GST was spent instead of $900,000 incl GST.

I am really surprised it happened as the National Party HQ drills into every local campaign that campaign expenditures are GST inclusive. Now this was a broadcasting allocation, which is separate legislation but the same principle applies.

The remedy in this situation is unclear. Broadcasters are owed over $100,000. National is not allowed by law to make the money up. Very messy. The issue has been referred to the Police for a possible breach of the Broadcasting Act.

Generally most activists regarded this campaign as one of the best organised. It will be pretty gutting for all that to be blotted by this (fairly huge) mistake.