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Twenty-three political parties planning to contest the general election are claiming eligibility to be considered for a share of $3.212 million in broadcast election advertising funds, as well as 102 free minutes available for opening and closing addresses on each of Television New Zealand and National Radio.

The list includes eight parties not yet registered with the Electoral Commission, while five of the 20 parties currently registered did not claim eligibility.

The parties' claims and their suggestions on how the commission should divide the resources will be considered by the commission at public hearings to be held early next week in Wellington.

The hearings are being held in the Taupo Room, Ministry of Social Development meeting rooms, Level 3, BowenStateBuilding,

from 9.30am-5.00pm, Monday, 21 March and 9.00am-5.00pm, Tuesday, 22 March.

General election broadcast allocation claimant parties and hearing schedule

Hearings of parties by the Electoral Commission to be held in the Taupo Room, Ministry of Social Development meeting rooms, Level 3, BowenStateBuilding,

.   Each party may make a 10-minute presentation, followed by 15 minutes for questions from Commissioners.

Registered parties (all non parliamentary) that did not claim eligibility: Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, Mana Māori Motuhake, Mana Māori Movement, One New Zealand Party, Te Tawharau.

Background

Funds can be used by political parties for:

• buying advertising time on TV
• buying advertising time on radio
• advertising production costs

Parties cannot use their own money to buy time but can use their own money for production.  Electorate candidates may buy broadcast advertising from within their expense limit.

Allocation process

1. Political parties that consider themselves eligible for an allocation are invited to give notice of this.  As well as placing the required invitation in the NZ Gazette, the commission wrote to parties, ran public notices in major newspapers, and made a media release.  Eligibility depends on parties giving this notice and being registered when parliament is dissolved or expires ahead of the election.  Parties had to give notice by 10^th February 2005
2. Parties which give notice are invited to make submissions on how the Electoral Commission should decide the allocations within the broad criteria outlined in the law.  Submissions were due Friday 11^th March 2005
3. A hearing is held for parties. To be held on 21^st and 22^nd March.  Hearings are open to the public and news media
4. The Electoral Commission decides how it will interpret the broad criteria (see below)  and makes an initial allocation - due to be made public in mid-April
5. The allocations may be revised for a variety of defined reasons, for instance if a party fails to register or to submit a party list

Allocation criteria

Factors that the Electoral Commission must consider in allocating money

• Party and electorate vote at the previous general election; and
• Votes at any by-election held since the previous general election; and
• The number of MPs before the dissolution of Parliament; and
• any relationships that exist between political parties; and
• any other indications of public support such as the results of public opinion polls and the number party members; and
• the need to provide a fair opportunity for each eligible political party to convey its policies to the public by broadcasting election programmes on television.

It cannot consider other matters.

The Electoral Commission members for Broadcast Allocation process:

Hon Anthony (Tony) Ellis, President
Belinda Clark, Secretary for Justice
Joe Williams, Chief Judge of

Helena Catt, Chief Executive
Hon David Caygill, representative of the Government
John Isles, representative of the Opposition parties