Pledge cards 'abuse of taxpayer money'

Labour has come under attack for using taxpayer money to fund some of its key election publicity.

Both Labour's pledge card and a large colour fold-out pamphlet, which is being delivered to homes around the country, carry the parliamentary crest and are therefore taxpayer-funded.

The National Party says it is an abuse of taxpayer money and Labour should refund it.

MP Simon Power said National contacted printing firms who said the cost of producing Labour's pledge cards would be about $280,000.

"Labour is campaigning on the public purse and using the taxes of hard-working Kiwis to fund a key plank in Helen Clark's re-election campaign."

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said the funding had come from the leader's parliamentary budget - which can be used for promotion of policy such as that found in the pamphlet and pledge card.

Labour also pointed out that National also uses its leader's budget to promote its policy - an example being a letter sent out by National MP Katherine Rich last week which said National's tax cuts would benefit superannuitants.

Mr Power said that in the 1999 election the Labour pledge card was paid for and delivered by Labour Party supporters.

"Helen Clark must do the honest thing and repay the taxes the Labour Party is using for re-election purposes."

Parliamentary Service manager of finance and entitlement Simon Wall said the rules governing what the leader's budget could be spent on were determined by the Speaker of the House, Margaret Wilson.

Under the determinations the budget can be used to promote policy, but cannot be used for distributing promotional or electioneering material.

Any complaints about the use of the parliamentary crest are directed to the Speaker, who makes a ruling.