“It has been part of our policy for years, so I am naturally delighted to see the government has picked the idea up,” he says.

However, Mr Dunne is sceptical of the government’s timing of this announcement.

“It seems to have more to do with attempting to deflect attention away from the electoral integrity arguments swirling around Mr Anderton and his political remnants.”

“The opposition to an MPs’ register is simply precious, and overlooks the point.”

“According to all international surveys New Zealand is one of the world’s least corrupt countries, and vigilance and transparency is the best way of ensuring it remains so.”

“There is no suggestion any MP has been acting to protect private interests at the expense of the public interest, and nor will full disclosure make such a claim any more likely.”

“What it will do is give more public confidence that all MPs are unashamedly acting in the public interest at all times, and, given the overall level of credibility we enjoy at present, that has to be a good thing.”

“It would, however, be a great pity if the real point of this register was to be lost sight of in the light of the current political circus,” Mr Dunne says.

ENDS