17 March 2015

'OPEN LETTER' to the New Zealand Electoral Commission:

Kristina Temel
Electoral Commission

Dear Kristina,

With all due respect I have NOT YET MADE a formal complaint
against National Northland candidate Mark Osborne, for alleged 'bribery' arising from reported statements he has made, to the effect that Northland electors will not get benefits of more money spent on roading, or the like, unless they vote for him.

In my email dated 14 March 2015, I stated:

"I wish to make a formal complaint against National Northland candidate Mark Osborne, for alleged 'bribery' arising from reported statements he has made, to the effect that Northland electors will not get benefits of more money spent on roading, or the like, unless they vote for him.

I believe that this is in breach of s.216 of the Electoral act 1993, and I want to know to whom, and the proper process to follow in order to make a formal complaint.

Please provide this information at your earliest available opportunity. ..."
____________________________________________________________

Thank you for confirming that it is the ELECTORAL COMMISSION to whom a complaint for alleged bribery under s.216 of the Electoral Act 1993, is to be made.
____________________________________________________________

Date: Tue, Mar 17, 2015 at 1:37 PM
Subject: Northland by-election
To: "waterpressure@gmail.com"

Dear Ms Bright,

I refer to your complaint with regard to Northland by-election candidate Mark Osborne's comments concerning spending on Northland roading amounting to bribery under the Electoral Act 1993.

All parties and candidates contesting an election or by-election are likely to promise different policies and spending priorities in order to persuade electors to vote for them. This allows electors the chance to consider the merits of each party or candidate before voting and will not generally constitute bribery under the Act.

The Commission has considered your complaint and does not consider that Mark Osborne's statements with regard to spending (or lack of spending) on Northland roads amounts to bribery under section 216 of the Electoral Act.

Kind regards

Kristina Temel
Electoral Commission
_____________________________________________________________

However, in my opinion, you have acted precipitously, in treating my request for information regarding to whom a complaint should be made, with an ACTUAL complaint - which it was not.

Please be advised that tomorrow, I shall lodge my FORMAL complaint against National Party candidate Mark Osborne for alleged bribery, under s.216 of the Electoral Act 1993, which I expect to be considered in a proper, lawful way, which ensures that 'justice is done and is seen to be done'.

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM310400.html

Yours sincerely,

Penny Bright

Ph: 021 211 4 127

Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2009 G20 Anti-Corruption Conference

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