Is the taxpayer funding Mallard and Little’s legal fees
June 27th, 2012 at 11:00 am by David FarrarJudith Collins has stated she is paying for her own expenses in the defamation suit against Trevor Mallard and Andrew Little. She had the option of applying for taxpayer funding, but chose not to.
Has anyone confirmed whether or not the taxpayer is funding the legal costs for Trevor Mallard and Andrew Little? It would certainly be within the rules, for them to be funded out of David Shearer’s parliamentary budget – but have they chosen to do so?
If they lose, and have to pay Collins’ legal expenses (she is not seeking damages, just a declaration and costs) will that also be funded by the taxpayer?
Related posts:
- Collins taking defamation action against Mallard, Little and Radio NZ
- Who pays?
- What happened to the claims this would never go to court?
- Mallard and Little defamation suit filed in court
June 27th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Why is the sky blue?
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 11:18 am
Methinks the question is a rhetorical one.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Mallard hasn’t tried to scalp tickets to trial yet? (To recover costs of course)
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Another question regarding Mallard: Did he pay tax on the profit from his ticket sales?
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 11:32 am
Did Andrew Little file is statement of Defense yesterday as required?
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 11:33 am
“Both MPs have indicated they would pay for their own defence in any legal proceedings”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6680854/Collins-to-fund-defamation-action
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 11:58 am
“Another question regarding Mallard: Did he pay tax on the profit from his ticket sales?”
Sorry, did i miss the new capital gains tax ?
My understanding is he’d only be liable for tax, if he bought them with the clear intention of reselling them, but i’m not a tax lawyer so could be wrong.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
themono … just because’ they’ said it doesn’t mean it’s true. Labour pollies have been known to tell lies ….. and that’s what the defamation is all about – Mallard and Little telling lies. Shearer needs to confirm that none of the bulk (taxpayer) funding provided to Labour is being used. His silence is deafening.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Alan J>Sorry, did i miss the new capital gains tax ?
Surely if you’re doing it on a regular basis then you’d be classified as a dealer. Surely second hand dealers and car dealers have to pay tax on their profits?
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Depends if the tickets were purchased with the intent of a resale.
The IRD would have to demonstrate intent. It’s difficult to do.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
AFAIK Helen Clark did not personally pay damages and costs for the defamation suit that surgeon took against her in 1999. I thought it was the abour Party who coughed up then.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Does anyone really care if the Labour Party meets their costs or not? Even though they have said that they will meet their own costs (obviously not clearly enough for Ross Miller), who care what kind of political action the party money funds?
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
mm, I kind of care, in that I think if there’s no risk (i.e. they can lose the case but still incur no material consequences to themselves) then it sends a signal that politicians can act with impunity.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Alan Johnstone
It’s the other way round. If IRD became aware of and assed the profit Mallard would have to prove lack of intent.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
RN
Vote:If the party is paying though, then it is the party that would call the shots, so I wouldn’t see that as too much of a risk.
June 27th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
I’m not normally one to defend Mallard and Little, but its not like they brought the defamation suit to court. As such, it isn’t really an issue whether the taxpayer pays.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Surely you jest Alex? If Mallard and Little had been more tempered in their comments where, outside of Parliament they alleged that Judith Collins acted in a certain way, they would not be being sued for defamation. Actions have consequences, and you and I should not have to pick up the bill for MP’s who act out of malice.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
It’s highly probable, almost a certainty, that the pair of wimpy socialists Little and Mallard, are using public funds.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
If this is being funded from the Labour Party’s parliamentary funding so what? That money is spent on a wide range of political purposes, so what’s the big deal?
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
mike – really????
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
thank you Milkenmild for confirming that it’s ok for them to use taxpayer money to defend themselves even when they said they weren’t. Funny set of values. Guess it goes with your territory
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Keeping Stock
Vote:Exactly correct!
June 27th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Ross – you are the one claiming that they are probably using their parliamentary funds for this despite saying they would not. All I have asked is why should anyone care about which particular political activity is supported by a party’s parliamentary funding. So far as I am concerned they could equally use the funding for a court case, collecting petition signatures, travel to a conference, hiring another journalist to write press releases, etc, etc. What’s the big deal?
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
mikenmild: the law might disagree. I believe there are rules about what parliamentary funding can and cannot be used for, and “political activity” is not the definition. But I don’t think that definition restricts defence of court cases, so no suggestion this is a legal issue.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
PaulL -yes, there are a whole lot of nonsensical rules about this funding which allows some bloggers to huff and puff about various ways inwhich the parties put the money to work.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Very mischievous question. Both have stated they are going to pay their own costs. Farrar is trying to imply they are lying. Create doubt and obfuscate. Farrar you should Be in the house your talents are being wasted.
Vote:June 27th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
mikenmild … so, a simple statement from Shearer would clear this all up … why the deafening silence?
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