Double-talk from Dipton

Written By: - Date published: 11:52 am, October 28th, 2009 - 10 comments
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Here’s what Double-Dipper Bill English had to say about taxpayer-funded advertising before the last election.

National has raised fresh concerns about Labour cashing in on government departments pushing key policies in the run-up to the election, after a $2 million jump in public sector advertising.

Mr English said that Labour was piggy-backing on departmental spending to rort the system while opposition parties held fire because of new rules restricting other campaign spending.

His comments were made in the context of the Electoral Commission’s allocation of broadcasting funding to political parties before the election.

His claim came as National urged the Electoral Commission to consider the advantage to Labour from public sector advertising when it hands out more than $3 million for radio and television campaigns.

This blatant attempt at political interference is another reason why the appointment of electoral officials should not be left to a National Party Minister.

But at least the Electoral Commission in the time of a Labour government did not roll over and put its feet in the air as TVNZ has done under National.

10 comments on “Double-talk from Dipton ”

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  1. Scribe 1
    28 October 2009 at 12:14 pm

    So, John A, do you think Labour using government departments to help promote their party’s political positions is OK?

    Given that’s the topic of the thread, I thought you might have made some comment on it, rather than finding some way to beat National over the head for a story that portrays Labour in a negative light.

    Many posts on The Standard have become a fairly mindless rant against National. Time for another lengthy sabbatical (not that I expect I’ll be missed).

  2. John A 2
    28 October 2009 at 12:28 pm

    @Scribe

    Bill English admitted that the monthly jump in 2008 was justified – it’s in the link:

    “More than $800,000 of last month’s spending was for KiwiSaver – a policy that is expected to feature strongly in Labour’s campaign.

    Mr English acknowledged the need to publicise changes made to the scheme on April 1, but said the jump in overall spending by government departments mirrored a similar big increase in spending in the run-up to the 2005 election.”

  3. Scribe 3
    28 October 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Bill English admitted that the monthly jump in 2008 was justified

    That’s weird, because I never use the word “rort” to describe expenditure that I consider justified.

    Sounds like Labour did this in ’05 and ’08, in much the same way the Helen Clark-led government boosted funding for United Nations agencies in elections years. What a coincidence…

  4. tc 4
    28 October 2009 at 1:03 pm

    TVNZ will continue to rollover and play dead as it played it’s hand throughout the election 08 coverage so it hopes it’ll get left alone to continue to be out of touch make crap dramas and recycle overseas gameshows as ‘new’…etc etc.
    Recycling Rick’s doing just fine under NACT….110k more kaching !
    The irony is TVNZ (Exclude Kordia) is ready for sale and they know it, it’s a dinosaur industry that it’s current management have done nothing to regen that wasn’t funded by you and I (freeview etc) and is failing miserably.
    When an SOE does a deal exclusively locking out other SOE’s (exclusive Tivo use to xtra only preventing the more innovative ISP’s in) it’s almost as if they can’t be bothered trying anymore.
    Expecting any creditable independant reporting in depth, over time, with a sense of history (so ministers can be reminded of what they said and did) was called into the management office and sent down the road years ago.

  5. Scribe 5
    28 October 2009 at 1:15 pm

    I think you could make the argument that English being used for the TVNZ7 promo was party political IF we were in an election year. Two years or so out from an election? Not so much.

    • felix 5.1
      28 October 2009 at 3:38 pm

      I think you could make the argument that English being used for the TVNZ7 promo was party political IF we were in an election year.

      And you’d still argue that it wasn’t, so why bother raising it, Hack?

      • Scribe 5.1.1
        28 October 2009 at 3:59 pm

        You’re a very angry man, Felix. Another 11 years of this won’t be good for your heart.

        • Tiger Mountain 5.1.1.1
          28 October 2009 at 4:55 pm

          Enjoy the sabbatical! The increasingly moribund and obsequious TVNZ will be taking one too it seems.

        • felix 5.1.1.2
          28 October 2009 at 9:01 pm

          Angry? Not at all, why would you say that?

          If I seem short with you it’s because you’re a fool who doesn’t deserve much of my time.

          If you were even slightly interested, genuinely interested, in discussing anything here then you’d find me quite an amiable chap.

          But you’re not, you never have been. Every day it’s the same tired, poorly phrased bullshit from you. We’ve all tried engaging with you honestly but most have found it a waste of time and given up long ago.

          You deserve nothing but scorn so that’s what you get. Deal with it.

  6. Rodel 6
    28 October 2009 at 8:47 pm

    One thing for sure-English’s association with the TV7 programmes will cause many people to avoid watching because his credibility is now so low.
    If they must get a ‘celebrity’ they should get one with some degree of integrity. Face it- his goofy election speeches were a failure some years ago and he’s been shooting at his feet ever since.
    Key must be laughing all the way to 2011 as his internal competitors discredit themselves.