Six Electoral Commission Decisions
The poor folks at the Electoral Commission are still working their way through some complaints under the Electoral Finance Act. They have released six decisions:
- Pacific Party had a qualified audit report as they had faulty records. No surprise with Taito Philip Field in charge. The Commission found they had breached the Act but it was too inconsequential to refer to Police.
- Direct Democracy Party has not filed a donation return, which is an offence. However too inconsequential to refer as they have deregistered.
- Republic of NZ Party has not filed a donation return, which is an offence. However too inconsequential to refer as they have deregistered.
- Maori Party were given use of a house for free, to use and rent out. As it was from an overseas person this was an offence, but they refunded the rental gained and too inconsequential to refer to Police.
- Road Transport Trust donated to a number of political parties. The Electoral Commission ruled they should have disclosed who the contributors to their donations were, but no offence as there was no intent to conceal.
- Pro-National Asian Video. The Commission found no offence by the NationalParty as the Party’s Financial Agent did not authorise the video, but the person who published it without authorisation may have breached the Act and will be referred to the Police.