Clark’s pledge card argument falls apart

National Party MP Bill English is congratulating Pete Hodgson for breaking ranks to confirm Helen Clark’s pledge card was ‘electioneering’.

“I’m only disappointed it’s taken him months to reach the same conclusion as everyone else. Helen Clark now has a responsibility to reimburse taxpayers for the pledge card spending without further delay.”

Mr English says the pressure is also on Helen Clark to explain the ‘electioneering’, when ‘electioneering’ is an expressly forbidden use of the Leaders’ Parliamentary fund in the lead-up to an election.

“If Helen Clark knew the pledge card was ‘electioneering’, and if Labour knew the cost of the pledge card would put it over the spending cap, then under section 214B of the Electoral Act Labour would be knowingly guilty of a ‘corrupt practice’.

“Pete Hodgson’s view contradicts previous statements made by Labour to the police investigating the complaint from the Chief Electoral Officer under section 214B. Helen Clark needs to explain this change of heart.”

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