We can't help but wonder...
May 01 8:39 PM
AUTHOR:
First published by "Keeping Stock" blog 1/5/2012
" Charles Chauvel is Labour's Justice spokesman, and the shadow Attorney General.So we can't help but wonder; has anyone called for him to stand aside from his shadow portfolio, given that he was referred to the Police in August 2011 over an alleged breach of the Electoral Act? You see, he too denies any wrongdoing:
Labour MP Charles Chauvel is being investigated by police for allegedly breaking new election advertising laws with a survey.
The Electoral Commission has ruled the Ohariu Census pamphlet breaks the Electoral Act because they do not explicitly state who authorised their publication.
The independent body, which supervises election campaigns, referred the matter to police two days ago.
New laws introduced last year tightened up rules. Breaking the law carries a maximum $40,000 fine.
Last month Labour was referred to police after the Commission decided their Stop Asset Sales postcard broke the same rules.
About 800,000 of the flyers were sent out to campaign against National's plans to partially sell off state-owned energy companies.
It followed the pledge card scandal of 2005 when police were called in after Labour broke election spending rules.
Chauvel was unaware of the police investigation until telephoned by a Fairfax journalist this afternoon.
"I do not agree that the publication breaches the Act,'' he said.
The Police investigation has not yet been concluded (to the best of our knowledge), so Charles Chauvel is entitled to the presumption of innocence, just as John Banks is.
Sure; Chauvel is not a Minister, but is it a good look for Labour to be calling for John Banks to stand aside when their own most senior MP in the legal side of things is also being investigated by the Police for legal irregularities? "