I was wondering what the budget was for informing the public on the costs of MMP and the new Electoral Finance Act. The efficient people at the Electoral Commission responded promptly to my inquiry (thank you).
They need a million dollars.
Political Interest Groups in New Zealand now have a budget of $120,000. Is that really enough to have a fair chance of reaching all Kiwis? The amount of $120,000 was not a figure the public EVER got to make submissions on. We were actually presented with a figure of $60,000, which even the PSA union balked at. The Electoral Commission suggested $300,000 to $400,000. They understand the modern day costs of advertising.
However, NZ Labour decided that $120,000 was a good limit to impose, and we have to conclude their motivation is to shut down counter-opinion. Because any more might actually have the power to inform people. Informed people might make bad decisions. They have reduced the number of groups that are capable of feeding information to a far more manageable number. Over time, they will no doubt refine this list. And with the passage of the EFB, the system is even more weighted to the incumbent government.
The overwhelming mindset is that $120,000 reflects the buying power of a "rich prick". The media has never (to my knowledge) pointed out that 10,000 people putting in $20 each are also unable to advertise their opinion and provide a small voice to counter the huge effect the government of the day has, not just in its spending power, but the fact that the media will put whatever Clark and her government say as prime time news. She can get an interview with any number of media muppets with one phone call. A level playing field doesn't even come into this.
And the public never really had a chance to debate this and provide input into what reasonable limits might be, and what a reasonable regulated period might be (and 11 months can be argued as unreasonably long in a three year election cycle.)
They have left us with only one viable option to register our protest. We must vote them out in the next election.
Slightly Related Link: NZ Labour election Strategy
They need a million dollars.
Kia ora Zen,
Our advertising alerting people to key requirements of the Electoral Finance Act appeared in every daily newspaper (21 papers) on either 1 or 2 January (depending on publication) and the three Sunday paper's on 6 January. The schedule will cost $21,244.81.
We currently have an available budget of $500,000 for MMP related advertising etc in conjunction with the general election. This is about half of what we usually use, and we are seeking further funding to make up the difference. The Electoral Enrolment Centre (roll maintenance) and Chief Electoral Office (election day) have separate budgets for their advertising requirements.
You may be interested to read our current statement of intent and last annual report available here http://www.elections.org.nz/ec_corp_info.html They include further information on our information and education programmes, including the election year campaign.
Thanks for your inquiry,
Political Interest Groups in New Zealand now have a budget of $120,000. Is that really enough to have a fair chance of reaching all Kiwis? The amount of $120,000 was not a figure the public EVER got to make submissions on. We were actually presented with a figure of $60,000, which even the PSA union balked at. The Electoral Commission suggested $300,000 to $400,000. They understand the modern day costs of advertising.
However, NZ Labour decided that $120,000 was a good limit to impose, and we have to conclude their motivation is to shut down counter-opinion. Because any more might actually have the power to inform people. Informed people might make bad decisions. They have reduced the number of groups that are capable of feeding information to a far more manageable number. Over time, they will no doubt refine this list. And with the passage of the EFB, the system is even more weighted to the incumbent government.
The overwhelming mindset is that $120,000 reflects the buying power of a "rich prick". The media has never (to my knowledge) pointed out that 10,000 people putting in $20 each are also unable to advertise their opinion and provide a small voice to counter the huge effect the government of the day has, not just in its spending power, but the fact that the media will put whatever Clark and her government say as prime time news. She can get an interview with any number of media muppets with one phone call. A level playing field doesn't even come into this.
And the public never really had a chance to debate this and provide input into what reasonable limits might be, and what a reasonable regulated period might be (and 11 months can be argued as unreasonably long in a three year election cycle.)
They have left us with only one viable option to register our protest. We must vote them out in the next election.
Slightly Related Link: NZ Labour election Strategy