National Party General Manager
18 April 2005

National disappointed at "unfair" broadcasting allocation

The National Party's share of election broadcasting funding for the upcoming General Election is unfair and disappointing, says the National Party's General Manager Steven Joyce.

Mr Joyce said in being allocated $900,000 worth of funding, the National Party will receive 20 per cent less funding than Labour, which is to receive $1.1 million.

"In its allocation the Electoral Commission has rightly acknowledged that this election is a two-horse race between the two major political parties," Mr Joyce says.

"But it then goes on to allocate 20 per cent more funds to the incumbent than to the challenger.

"Labour is already using stacks of taxpayer funds to run political advertising campaigns around Working for Families, Public Health Organisations and the like. The Electoral Commission allocation tips the playing field even further in their direction.

Steven Joyce says the funding discrepancy means National will have to find alternative ways to ensure New Zealanders receive National's vision for the future, enabling voters a clear choice between National and Labour.

"Simply put, our ads will have to be 20 per cent better than theirs. Despite receiving less funding we are determined to take the fight to Labour and win this election on the issues that Kiwis care about," Mr Joyce says.

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