Scoop Audio: PM's Press Conference - A
Feast Of Election Spending
This year consists of two stories – the goings on of former cabinet minister and now potentially gardening 'garden leave taking' MP for Mangere Taito Philip Field and election spending. As last week's post-cabinet press conference was devoted to the allegation-attracting Mangere MP it was only fitting that the year's other big story - election spending - get a good airing this afternoon.
Evidently there was 37 questions relating to Mr Field last week – that number could easily have been beaten today as the media asked the PM about whether any money spent on the PM's pledge card during the 2005 election campaign would be refunded.
The PM was adamant throughout the grilling over her much maligned pledge card that the report which the media representatives were utilising as the primary weapon of interrogation was only a draft report and had also been 'selectively leaked'.
It also seemed likely from the answers the PM gave that the mysterious dealings between National leader Dr Don Brash and seven generous and wealthy Exclusive Brethren members may be back on the agenda when Parliament sits this week.
Listen to the PM and the media discuss election funding, donations to MPs and various other fiscal and electoral issues
ENDS