Suspected election broadcasting offences referred to police
The Electoral Commission has referred three suspected offences under election broadcasting law to the New Zealand Police for investigation, with a fourth apparent breach currently being researched.
The three suspected offences, and the relevant sections of the Broadcasting Act 1989, are:
- The New Zealand National Party, which disclosed to the Commission that it had booked advertising above its allocation through treating the allocated value as GST exclusive, rather than GST inclusive, in apparent contravention of s.80(b)(ii).
- Television New Zealand, which broadcast a National Party advertisement between other parties’ opening addresses in apparent contravention of s.77A(4)(b).
- Television New Zealand and Keith Houston of Care Vets, Hamilton, for broadcast of an election advertisement advocating voting against a party in apparent contravention of s.70(2).
Another party is likely to be referred for overspending its broadcast allocation once research is complete.
All the suspected offences attract a maximum fine upon conviction of $100,000. s.80.
For further information see:
[484 Allocation of time and money to parties]
[388 How to run election broadcast advertising]