5 September, 2008

 

The High Court has confirmed the EPMU can register as a third party under the Electoral Finance Act. 

Registration as a third party is a requirement if the union wants to campaign on any issue relevant to the general election. Registering as a third party is not the same as being a political party, and the union does not act as a political party.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says High Court's the decision is in line with the purposes of the Electoral Finance Act. 

"This legislation was never about stopping groups from campaigning but about increasing the fairness and transparency of our electoral system.

"We've always been open about the union's political affiliations and actions and we've always campaigned in our own right on the issues that are important to our members. 

"We've been campaigning hard on the issues of work rights and wages in New Zealand, and we will continue to do this.

"Contrary to some media reports no decision has been made on whether the union will mount an advertising campaign between now and the election. 

"We will however be asking all political parties to state their position on our Work Rights Checklist, which has now been endorsed by sixteen and a half thousand EPMU members at Wage Drive rallies across New Zealand."