NATIONAL BUSINESS REVIEW/NZPA: National said it uses Parliamentary Services funds for legitimate purposes in the wake of a report suggesting Crosby-Textor invoices are going to leader John Key's parliamentary office.
Last weekend author Nicky Hager reported National had hired Australian political strategy company Crosby/Textor. The company is alleged to use controversial tactics, including push polling, designed to influence voters, for clients.
Today in the Sunday Star-Times Hager said Crosby-Textor invoices in 2007-08 were going to Key's parliamentary office instead of the party.
Hager said this suggested they were being paid with Parliamentary Services money.
National has made a point of saying Parliamentary Service money, which includes a leader's fund, should not be used for election purposes after Labour changed the law on election funding when it was found to have breached the spending rules.
National has a policy of not saying what consultants it uses. However, a spokesman said there had been no wrong-doing.
"We only use Parliamentary services money for legitimate activities not for campaign expenses," he said.
Asked if the funds could be used for consultants he said it would depend on what they were asked to do.
"Hager seems to be saying we've done something improper and that's not true."
Hager wrote The Hollow Men based on 475 stolen or leaked emails from former National leader Don Brash. A police investigation found no evidence of hacking and Hager has always maintained the emails were leaked to him by National Party sources and said those who claimed they were gained by theft should apologise to him.
Hager's story last week, which included diary-type references and dates and details of Mr Key's meetings, prompted the party to raise concerns about security with Parliamentary Services.
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