Duynhoven law frays electoral system

National's Justice spokesman Richard Worth says the behaviour of Labour and the Greens over the Duynhoven issue casts a pall over the integrity of the country's electoral system.

"Labour's refusal to confirm that the New Plymouth MP was the only Labour MP holding a place in Parliament illegally suggests the party leadership knows others in their party have broken the law.

"In treating the electoral laws of the country in such a cavalier way, Labour invites comparison with a Mugabe-type administration," says Mr Worth.

"The Party knew these laws applied when it selected candidates and it had a duty to ensure all its candidates were in compliance.

"The Greens should also examine their position. They can be high and mighty in their approach to environmental issues, but when push comes to shove in their dealings with Labour, they can play a nasty hand in the pursuit of influence.

"There's a stench about this matter that suggests that the exercise of power by this Government and its friends is more important to them than the integrity of our electoral system," says Mr Worth.

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