Anderton wants review of Electoral Finance Act

NATIONAL BUSINESS REVIEW: Progressive leader Jim Anderton believes the Electoral Finance Act (EFA) should be reviewed after his party was reported to the police for a potential breach of the law.

The Electoral Commission has ruled an advertisement run by the Progressive Party in the Southland Times in April about BZP was electioneering and did not carry a promoter statement as required.

Mr Anderton told Newstalk ZB he believed the situation was bizarre and would have an impact on his ability to do his job.

He believed putting out an advertisement advising people of a law change was an appropriate thing to do as he is the associate minister of health.

Mr Anderton, who voted for the law, doubted that anyone believed that political parties would end up being caught by the fine print of the legislation and believes the EFA should be reviewed.

The commission said the ad contained a party slogan so it counted as an electon ad under the law.

The decision by the Electoral Commission was one of 10 decisions released on complaints with two being passed on to the police -- the Progressive Party ad and a complaint about push polling, statements designed to influence voting.

Labour, National, the Greens and NZ First had complaints made against them but the commission found no offences under the Electoral Finance Act.

On July 10 Colleen Neilson complained to the commission that she got a call from an unknown person who was doing a survey, but who also put arguments for and against political parties.

The commission said there was not enough evidence for it to rule on so decided to refer the incident to police to look at. The commission sent reminders to parties about push-polling and canvassing.

A complaint was also made against a Post Primary Teachers Association billboard, but the commission ruled its message was about policy and not an election ad.

PPTA president Robin Duff welcomed the decision saying the "How dense do you want them?" billboard campaign was part of an ongoing effort to improve conditions and wages for teachers.

"There is no way that should have to grind to a halt because it is is an election year," Mr Duff said.