2011 Broadcasting Allocations

The Electoral Commission has just announced the broadcasting allocations for the 2011 elections. I show below the monetary allocation for each party, and the comparison to the original 2008 allocation.

The Commission has given National and Labour the same amounts, as they did in 2008. The argument for this is that they are the two parties competing to become the major party in Government, so should get the same funding regardless of any disparity in seats and poll ratings.

I tend to agree with the Commission that the two major parties should get the same, but I note in 2005 they gave Labour $200,000 more than National. In 1999 and 2002 they got the same though. So the 2005 decision is probably an anomaly based on National receiving so few seats in 2002. However with hindsight it was arguably wrong as National was equal polling with Labour and almost won the 2005 election.

The allocations are:

• National $1,150,000 ($1,000,000)
• Labour $1,150,000 ($1,000,000)
• Greens $300,000 ($240,000)
• ACT $160,000 ($100,000)
• Maori $160,000 ($240,000)
• NZ First $100,000 ($240,000)
• United $100,000 ($100,000)
• Others $20,000 each ($17,000)

The two parties that get less than in 2008 are Maori Party and NZ First parties. Mana will have no allocation at all, and sadly the law has not been changed to allow parties to purchase their own broadcasting time. I am no fan of the Mana Party, but it is outraegous that they have been shut out of radio and television due to the law. I remain annoyed National failed to chaange the law.

In terms of opening and closing times, the allocations are:

• National 20 + 16 (12 + 6)
• Labour 20 + 16 (12 + 6)
• Greens 8 + 7 (8 + 3)
• ACT 5 + 4 (3+ 3)
• Maori 5 + 4 (8 + 3)
• NZ First 3 + 2.5 (8 + 3)
• United 3 + 2.5 (4 + 3)
• Others 1 + 1 each (1 + 0)

That is significantly more time for the two major parties, but really a reflection that in the past they have not been allocated enough time. The two major parties are polling at around 85%, yet are getting just 55% of the time. They are getting 70% of the money.

I think the allocations look pretty reasonable. I would make the point that personally I would change the law so that a greater allocation goes to parties outside Parliament, recognising they do not have the resources that parties already in Parliament have. I stick by that view, even though it would in this case benefit NZ First.