New Zealand Likely to Ban Overseas Political Donations

New Zealand is likely to ban overseas political donations in local government elections. This will go up for debate later in the evening. Independent MP Jami-Lee Ross said there were no restrictions on candidates receiving overseas donations in local government elections. He said political parties representing a majority in Parliament wanted to ban overseas donations.

"The people of New Zealand do not want our electoral system to be compromised by overseas donations. They don't want our democracy to be hijacked by the threat of foreign influence."

Ross said they will be proposing three amendments to the Local Electoral Matters Bill which include capping overseas donations at $1500, a full legislative ban or a restriction so that only the people of New Zealand who are enrolled to vote can make donations.

Furthermore, the Independent MP highlighted the serious flaws in the Local Electoral Act saying that the restrictions that exist for parliamentary elections under the Electoral Act 1993 are not mirrored in local government legislation.

He said the current laws are far too loose and open to abuse.