Labour pays, Winston delays ...
Congrats to the Labour Party for raising half the funds it needs in the "Big Whip Round" to refund taxpayers for the Pledge Card and other election material charged to Parliamentary Services.
According to my maths, the 5% MP salary levy should have only raised just over $100,000 so that means up to $300,000 as been raised through other methods. Although, some MPs may have just paid the total 5% of salary upfront. (Only the stupid ones - I'd leave it in my Bank Account earning interest and wait until it was due before handing over.)
On the other hand, I see Winston Peters and NZ First are still disputing the amount. The article claims NZ First are still in discussion with their lawyers before deciding what steps to take.
Personally, I think that's bullshit. Peters and NZ First wouldn't be running up big legal bills when they know the decision to pay back Parliamentary Services is primarily a political one. I bet Winston Peters will be hoping that the story goes away quietly before anyone asks for proof it's been refunded.
According to my maths, the 5% MP salary levy should have only raised just over $100,000 so that means up to $300,000 as been raised through other methods. Although, some MPs may have just paid the total 5% of salary upfront. (Only the stupid ones - I'd leave it in my Bank Account earning interest and wait until it was due before handing over.)
On the other hand, I see Winston Peters and NZ First are still disputing the amount. The article claims NZ First are still in discussion with their lawyers before deciding what steps to take.
Personally, I think that's bullshit. Peters and NZ First wouldn't be running up big legal bills when they know the decision to pay back Parliamentary Services is primarily a political one. I bet Winston Peters will be hoping that the story goes away quietly before anyone asks for proof it's been refunded.
posted by Michael at
6:01 PM
5 Comments:
This post has been removed by the author.
By
ZenTiger, at 9:12 PM
Your post is titled "Labour Pays..."
They haven't. And it's overdue. Taxpayers would be up to their ears in penalties by now and facing court action. The only court action they faced they retrospectively legislated away.
Don't congratulate them for raising the money, congratulate them for PAYING it back.
And how did they solicit donations? They actually had the cancerous and corrosive nerve to suggest on the donation form that if people didn't donate, the Exclusive Brethren might be dictating policy if National win the next election.
So, with the party members, they raised funds through implied THREATS.
With their MP's, they DEMANDED the money. And MP's got a pay rise during the same period. Nice.
With the party faithful, they BEGGED for the money.
THREATEN, DEMAND, BEG.
Then they brag they have half the money, but don't make a down payment with it.
By
ZenTiger, at 9:16 PM
I would like to know where the money is coming from actually?
Is Labour doing deals to get the money from Unions?
By
Anonymous, at 10:07 AM
Zen - My point was that Labour is sticking to it's commitment to repay the taxpayer, and was willing to give an update to the media. If the renege you can bet their will be no Labour MPs in 2008. I will always congratulate party volunteers raising up to $300k, regardless of political persausion.
But I say Winston is delaying in the hope the issue will go away. The media (and bloggers) should be keeping the pressure on him over the next few weeks.
Anon - The Unions said no. Labour MPs have been levied 5% of their salay to contribute half, the rest is from raffles, donations and other fundraising.
By
Michael, at 11:13 AM
Sticking to its commitment? Let's hope so.
Labour might retract its commitment to repay more than $800,000 of unlawful election spending if New Zealand First overturns the Auditor-General's report in a legal challenge.
By
ZenTiger, at 8:56 AM
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