From the press room
Dunne: Time for Labour and National to talk – 2007-09-12
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne is calling on Labour and National to lay aside their differences and talk directly on the provisions of the Electoral Finance Bill.
“The stands both parties are taking on the Bill are more about protecting their respective vested interests, than principle.
“Labour wants to stop National’s access to private funding, while National wants to curb Labour’s use of taxpayer-funded government publicity programmes, while preserving its access to its private funding sources.
“Both are overlooking the fact that the electoral law is not about their special interests, but about what is in the best interests of all New Zealand voters, regardless of which party they support.
“The law is not there to be tweaked to their own advantage by Labour and National whenever they are in power,” Mr Dunne says.
Mr Dunne is challenging both parties to stop their current posturing and to engage constructively in all-party talks over the future of the Electoral Finance Bill.
“Carrying on the way they are will not only tarnish future their own reputations, but also risks the credibility of the entire process of government,” he says.