National Radio

Was a fairly fiery debate on National Radio this morning in their politics segment.

I am a huge fan of Kathryn Ryan (it has been painful having her away for a few weeks) but for once I have to criticise her for not having done her homework on the pledge card issue.

She has made the same mistake as the Police in thinking the issue of whether the pledge card should have been paid for by the taxpayer, affects whether it is an election expense under the Electoral Act. It does not.

The Chief Electoral Officer clearly advised Labour prior to the election that advertising can be classified as an election expense, regardless of who pays for it. The Parliamentary Service Handbook makes it clear that some parliamentary expenditure can still be counted as an election expense. And finally the Wairarapa Electoral Court ruled that some parliamentary expenses of Boorman, counted as alection expenses also.