Guy Nathan: Parliamentary Service (Continuation of Interim Meaning of Funding for Parliamentary Purposes) Bill — First Reading 
Guy Nathan: Parliamentary Service (Continuation of Interim Meaning of Funding for Parliamentary Purposes) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:654;Page:3076] 
NATHAN GUY (National—Otaki) 
: 
 I rise to take a call on the Parliamentary Service (Continuation of Interim Meaning of Funding for Parliamentary Purposes) Bill in its first reading this afternoon. It has a short report-back time through the Finance and Expenditure Committee but it is important that it goes through that process. In essence this bill that we are addressing this afternoon will provide an interim definition for an important piece of work for the Government and the whole of the House. I say to members as a little bit of background that the definition is currently provided in the Appropriation (Continuation of Interim Meaning of Funding for Parliamentary Purposes) Act 2007 which expires in July 2009. A roll over is needed so that the interim definition can continue until Parliament is able to consider a permanent definition. 
I will talk a little bit about some of the things that have already been covered by the previous two speakers and indeed will make my own personal remarks as well. The need for the bill came when the Auditor-General in 2006 conducted an inquiry into advertising expenditure following the 2005 election. Some changes were recommended—and indeed made—as a result of the rort that occurred with the pledge card. It is imperative that that mistake is not made in the future and that we learn from it. 
Some measures in this bill relate specifically to electioneering and that is an important part of this bill that we need to get right. There are two forms of publicity. One is around parliamentary publicity where MPs are out promoting themselves in their own community so that their constituents come and see them in their electorate offices. Then there is the other one that crosses the line and that is to do with electioneering. 
Clause 4(3) of this bill defines the term “electioneering” to mean “any communication that explicitly—(a) seeks support for the election of a particular person or people; or (b) seeks support for the casting of a party vote for a particular political party or political parties; or (c) encourages any person to become a member of a particular political party or political parties; or (d) solicits subscriptions or other financial support.” It is great that this bill spells that out very very clearly. 
Another important part of this bill excludes from the funding for travel that which comes from the Office of the Clerk’s vote and that is an important point to make in terms of the inter-parliamentary travel programme. It covers things to do with accommodation communication and travel outside of the scope of this bill. 
It is important that we get this bill right. We need to ensure that it goes through the select committee process and it should have wide-ranging support from the House this afternoon. It is great to hear that Labour has acknowledged that it believes that Cam Calder—who was a list member for the National Party for a short period of time before the special votes were counted and concluded—will come back into the House given the opportunity that National has to secure the Mt Albert by-election. We are working particularly hard in that area but we realise that it is a strong Labour electorate. We are getting on with the business at hand there rolling out the proposal on the Waterview Connection—the very important road that will reduce Auckland’s congestion. 
In conclusion I say that this is an important bill. It also covers the amendment Act of 2008 and it is important that I remark on that. I spoke on that Act towards the end of last year when we found out that a member who was voted in on election night not declared in the House and not sworn in had a window of 6 weeks when that person was not necessarily funded in terms of support budgets for electorate offices—phones and leases were not covered. This bill captures that as well. This is an important bill which is heading off this afternoon to the Finance and Expenditure Committee with a very tight report-back date of 15 June. I commend this bill in its first reading in the House.