Electoral Commission decision 2008-25, Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) Inc, election advertisement
Dated: 19 August 2008
Decision Number: 2008-25
Subject: A large display advertisement by the EMA in the New Zealand Herald on 23 July 2008 and the Dominion Post on 24 July 2008. The item has the headline “Stop Mallard’s Attack On Workers”, includes graphics with “stop” signs and placards saying “unfair”, “discriminatory”, “wrong”, and raises objections to proposed changes to the Kiwisaver legislation. It then says “TELL OUR POLITICIANS IT IS WRONG. CALL” and lists a number of MPs and their telephone numbers. According to Mr Kiezer the ratecard value of the advertisement in the New Zealand Herald is $14,965.16.
Findings and Determination: Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) display advertisement in newspapers with the headline “Stop Mallard’s Attack On Workers” is an election advertisement. The EMA is not listed as a third party, and it appears that the cost of the item exceeds $12,000. The offence will be reported to the Police. Contravention of section 63(2)(b) of the Electoral Finance Act 2007, by exceeding the election expense limit of $12,000 specified in section 63(3)(d), amounting to an offence under section 63(4) of the Act. The facts will be reported to the Police in accordance with section 70.
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