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Concerns over donations loophole

Author
Gia Garrick ,
Publish Date
Sun, 1 Mar 2015, 12:41PM

Concerns over donations loophole

Author
Gia Garrick ,
Publish Date
Sun, 1 Mar 2015, 12:41PM

Criticism is being levelled at the way the National Party is handling its donations.

NZME. News reports 80 percent of donations to the party's candidates are channelled through party headquarters, then re-allocated to the candidate.

Under electoral law, if an individual or organisation donates over $1500 towards a candidate's campaign, it must be declared.

But if the same donation goes through the party first, it can remain a secret unless it's over $15,000.

Political commentator David Slack says while the loophole is legal, there are still problems.

"It's a question of whether an organisation or a business is making contributions and then expecting some quid pro quo."

Slack says funding should be transparent so the public can understand any motive behind a donation, 

He says we have to keep asking for greater transparency so there is less doubt over whether people are being short changed in the political process.

 

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