New Zealand Government is corrupt

The National Party is applying scrutiny to a key prime ministerial advisor's role in the pledge-card controversy, amid claims of a blowout in ministerial staff numbers.

Prime Minister Helen Clark has repeatedly refused to answer questions in Parliament on her chief of staff Heather Simpson's role in seeking funding for Labour's controversial $446,000 election pledge card.

Ms Simpson, known as "H2" in political circles -- with Miss Clark holding the "H1" tag -- wrote a letter to the Parliamentary Service after last year's election saying the pledge card was authorised and asking for funding "without further delay".

But Miss Clark, as Minister in charge of Ministerial Services, which employs Ms Simpson, has refused to answer questions on the basis the activities were undertaken on behalf of the parliamentary Labour Party.

Speaker Margaret Wilson appeared to back up that interpretation when Miss Clark was questioned in the House a fortnight ago. But today officials told MPs on Parliament's government administration committee Ms Simpson was wholly employed by Ministerial Services and not partially employed through a party leader's parliamentary budget as was the case in the offices of several minor party leaders.

National MP Tony Ryall said that meant Miss Clark had ministerial responsibility for Miss Simpson's actions and should have to answer questions on the matter. In Parliament later Mr Ryall asked Ms Wilson to reconsider the matter. She said she would. Mr Ryall also questioned officials on what tasks ministerial staff could undertake. Internal Affairs Department acting manager of executive government support Janice Calvert said under the rules they were not allowed to partake in electioneering, but were allowed to support MPs' work as ministers, legislators and elected representatives. The use of ministerial resources has come under scrutiny after the row over unlawful election spending. But Ms Calvert said there had been no complaints regarding misuse of staff ahead of last year's elections.

Mr Ryall also questioned a steep rise in ministerial staff between 2001 and 2005. Over the five year period staff numbers rose from 131 to 165. The department was unable to provide updated figures for the year to June 30, but said they were roughly similar to the previous year. Mr Ryall said there seemed to be a growing number of ministerial advisers and press secretaries. "This list of ministerial spin doctors and media advisors is the longest in living memory." Ms Calvert also revealed the department had been asking departments to pay for staff seconded to ministers' offices. In the past Ministerial Services had paid for some of these. Mr Ryall said that meant staff numbers could be even higher.

This Government has to go!