ACT Party leader Rodney Hide has laid a complaint with the Serious Fraud Office about the actions of New Zealand First and its leader Winston Peters over party donations.
Mr Hide says he had hoped Prime Minister Helen Clark would stand down Mr Peters from his position as foreign affairs minister and investigate allegations about party funding. But that has not happened, so he has taken the matter to the Serious Fraud Office.
The question of donations to New Zealand First again dominated question time in the House on Wednesday.
Mr Peters refused to answer questions about the Spencer Trust and any links to his party. He dismissed the move by Mr Hide as idiocy. He also deflected questions about the complaint, saying no one took Mr Hide seriously.
Businessman Sir Robert Jones says he donated $25,000 to the trust before the last election, a donation he thought was going to New Zealand First.
Miss Clark says the laying of a complaint with the Serious Fraud Office does not amount evidence of wrongdoing.
She says she takes Mr Peters at his word and has been given no reason to believe there is any illegal activity.
