Don Brash backs more transparency in advertising

National Party Leader Don Brash is calling for more transparency in the spending of taxpayer dollars on communications funded by the Parliamentary Service Commission.

"It would appear that some parties may have been pushing the boundaries when it comes to using Parliamentary Service funding for advertisements. I understand the Auditor-General is examining some of these advertisements and other communication initiatives.

"However, I believe it's the public's right to know how taxpayer money is being spent," says Dr Brash.

In recent weeks, Labour, New Zealand First and National have placed advertisements in national newspapers.

"National appears to have been the only party that has strictly abided by the rules and not embarked on flagrant electioneering. There is a huge contrast between our communicating of a complex issue to the electorate and Labour's blatant propaganda 'You're Better Off With Labour'. "Our foreshore and seabed advertisements, running this week, legitimately highlight the fish-hooks in Government legislation. In addition to that, they were checked off in advance by the Auditor-General to ensure that they complied with the rules for legitimate 'parliamentary business'."

The National Party Leader's Office received $2,143,891 from Parliamentary Services in funding in the year to the end of June, and we spent 10.3% of that (or $221,643) on communications.

"This is the first time National has released these figures, but I believe it's in the public's interest for us to be open about our use of taxpayer money," says Dr Brash.

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