News that the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union is registering as a third party under the Electoral Finance Act is interesting, particularly as the union claims that it will spend its money on issues-based campaigning. This is supposed to be exempt, but Union boss Andrew Little seems to be suggesting that the law is unclear.
"If there is a potential or risk that anything you say or advertise could be interpreted as 'political advertising', then better to be safe than sorry."
EPMU's decisions will no doubt cause other bodies some self reflection.
EPMU is planning to spend $120,000 on the 2008 campaign, the same amount as was spent in 2005.
