17 Aug 2011

Labour MP disputes referral to police of election ad

10:45 pm on 17 August 2011

Labour MP Charles Chauvel is disputing the referral of one of his election advertisements to police, saying he doesn't believe he's broken the law

The Electoral Commission has referred material from Labour and the ACT Party, for possible breaches of electoral law.

The items are the Ohariu Census by Mr Chauvel, ACT Party newspaper advertisements, and another Labour Party flyer.

The commission says they don't display a valid promoter statement, and were not authorised in writing by the party secretary.

Mr Chauvel says it was clear he's authorised the census, and that it shouldn't need party authorisation as it relates to the Ohariu electorate.

But he says he respects the commission's view, and will comply with its interpretations of the law in the future.