And then there were two.
New Zealand First and United Future are the only parties yet to repay the taxpayer money that the Auditor General found was unlawfully spent at the last election, parliamentary officials told a select committee yesterday.
But the two party leaders indicated yesterday that
action of some sort was around the corner.
Of the $1.2 million unlawfully spent by political parties on advertising, New Zealand First spent more than $157,000 and United Future more than $70,000.
All other parties aimed to have the money paid by the end of this financial year, June 30. They have all done so with the exception of Act, which found out last week it was $700 short of its $20,114 total. It would pay that next week, leader Rodney Hide said.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said an announcement would be made "shortly" once the party had dealt with the matter, but party president Dail Jones was overseas.
United Future leader Peter Dunne said the party would make "a substantial progress payment" to Parliamentary Service before June 30.
Unlawful spending
* Paid
Labour $824,524
Greens $87,192
Act ... $19,414 [with $700 more to pay]
National $11,912
Maori Party $54
* Outstanding
United Future $71,867
New Zealand First $157,934
