Parties’ views on donations shake-up kept secret

The Ministry of Justice struck a deal with political parties to keep secret their submissions on donation law reform.

Last month the Government announced plans to overhaul the donations regime. The shakeup will cap anonymous donations to parties at $5000.

As part of the reform, political parties – and the public – were asked for their feedback on a range of policy options.

The ministry says it will release submissions from ordinary people. But it will not disclose those from three political parties.

‘‘The political parties which the ministry received submissions from, provided these on a confidential basis,’’ Kathy Brightwell, general manager of civil and constitutional policy said in response to an Official Information Act request from Stuff.

‘‘These parties may not have provided submissions if they knew they were going to be identified, so it would be within the public interest to withhold their submissions, as release of this would likely prejudice the supply of similar information, and it is in the public interest that the ministry can continue to consult with political parties in the future.’’

Brightwell did not say which three parties had requested anonymity and Stuff has asked for clarification.

However, last month National released its submission to Stuff when asked for it. The Labour Party refused.

National’s justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith said it was ‘‘deeply shocking and ironic’’ that officials had conspired to keep the submissions secret in a policy process that was designed to increase transparency.

‘‘These things are written on the basis that they will come out. You say things that you are prepared to stand by.’’

He called on Labour to release its submission.

‘‘One can only conclude that they might be submitting against their own bill, or done something that they’re embarrassed about. It’s totally indefensible.’’

Yesterday, ACT leader David Seymour provided its letter to then-Justice Minister Kris Faafoi. He called plans for reform within the current electoral cycle ‘‘repugnant’’.

‘‘Nowhere do you explain why you believe that political donations are having an improper influence on electoral outcomes,’’ Seymour wrote.

He said reducing the threshold for declaring an anonymous donation to $1500 would most certainly reduce freedom of political expression.

The Government eventually settled on $5000.