Taxpayer Funded Electioneering

Labour DLEFlyer

This pamphlet would definitely count as electioneering if done during the regulated period. The rules before the regulated period are less strict, but wonder if even under those rules whether this qualifies. To qualify it must “have a parliamentary purpose” and “not contain electioneering”.

Electioneering is defined outside the regulated period as “explicitly seeks support for the re-election of a member or party, explicitly encourages party membership or explicitly solicits financial support”.

This pamphlet pushes those to the max. I am unsure it has a parliamentary purpose – it does not mention Parliament at all, or any specific law. It is basically 100% propaganda.

The front half is simply a photo and what appears to be a campaign slogan.

The second half gets close to soliciting for votes (implicit not explicit though) saying “Things have got tougher under the National Government but has a plan for the people of Waitakere and all New Zealanders”.

There's a not a single word about what Carmel has done for the community, about how you can approach her office for assistance, about any local issues. It is 100% a rant against National and a list of campaign slogans.

In fact an identical pamphlet could run in every seat. Perhaps that is the case? Has any readers received similar?

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