Summarised by Centrist
Bryce Edwards opines that NZ’s political donation regulations are broken, as evidenced by the Court of Appeal overturning convictions of donors to the National and Labour parties. These parties had received large, undisclosed donations, originally leading to fraud charges against several individuals, including former National MP Jami-Lee Ross.
The Court’s decision is argued to reveal a significant gap in the Electoral Act, failing to adequately address or penalise undisclosed political donations. Edwards says that, alongside similar cases involving NZ First, the current laws are ineffective in regulating large political donations.
Despite the need for substantial reform, Edwards says there is little indication that is in the offing anytime soon.
