An investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into the Labour Party three years on is being seen as an attempt to clear the air before the election.
The party's the latest to be probed by the SFO, for donations in 2017.
It's already looking into the New Zealand First Foundation and an investigation into the National Party is before the courts.
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger told Tim Dower the SFO clearly wanted to stay up front.
“They were continuing this investigation and clearly haven't been satisfied the case is clear."
Bolger says if taxpayers paid for political campaigns, we wouldn't need to spend so much on these inquiries, which cost a lot of money.
‘The funding that's going to the SFO could just about pay for what's necessary to fund the political parties."
Bolger says we should look at it proactively, rather than hoping the SFO will find the parties' misdeeds.
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