13 June 2006

Own Up, Pay Up And Face Up - Peters Tells National

The National Party has ignored the most obvious and fair solution to its dilemma over broadcasting spending at the last election – to pay those they owe money and to then face the consequences of their actions in relation to the Broadcasting Act, says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

"For this reason New Zealand First will not be supporting Don Brash's Broadcasting (2005 Election Broadcasting Reimbursement) Amendment Bill, nor granting leave for it to come before the House, said Mr Peters.

"National's claim that they cannot pay those they owe money, because they would then breach the Broadcasting Act, does not stack up. They have already committed the offence and if they truly accept the mantra of ‘one law for all’, then they would do the honourable thing and pay those they owe money. Then rather than trying to hide from the law through retrospective legislation, they would also have the courage to front up and face the penalty for violating the Broadcasting Act.

“Don Brash claimed in his 29 May press release that he wanted to ‘wipe the slate clean’ with this Bill. The irony is that National didn't support the Clean Slate Bill when they had the chance and the only slate they selfishly want cleaned is their own.

"National would be the first to point the finger were any other party in this situation, and yet it is pleading clemency for its own indiscretion.

"This is simply not good enough – they broke the law and just like anybody else, they must face the consequences of having done so.

"The New Zealand public must not be falsely seduced by the myth that National is prevented from paying its bills – it can, it should and it must if it has any shred of integrity,” concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media