Points of Order — Election Advertising—Reimbursement of Expenditure

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, as you are aware, Parliament passed legislation to validate various previously questionable expenditures relating to the 2005 election. A consequence of the discussions on that is that a number of parties have indicated they will refund moneys to the Parliamentary Service. Can you tell us what your process will be for reporting to the House when parties are making such payments?

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I can indicate to the House that I have indicated that I will report on whether parties intend to reimburse. I intend to do that at the appropriate time. After I have done that, I intend to take no further action. That is up to the parties themselves.

💬 Hon David Carter: It’s a bloody cover-up.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: There is no authority for the Speaker to do anything more than I have said. So please refrain from commenting on my rulings, if you wish to remain in the Chamber for the rest of the day.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Can you clarify for the House that the situation now is that, firstly, the law makes it clear that no payment is necessary, so New Zealand First, for example, does not have to make any repayments; and, secondly, there is no provision for Parliament to recognise parties that do make repayments, and therefore it becomes just a matter of discussion between the Parliamentary Service, which of course does not publicise these things, and the party concerned? Or does the Minister responsible for the Parliamentary Service make some public statement?

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I thank the member. I think I can assist the House in this. It is not the Speaker’s responsibility to attend to any of those matters.