Hi Friend,

Today's the last day to tell MPs to 'Open the Books' and let taxpayers see how MPs are spending our money.

Peter (no relation) has asked me for a list of those who are backing this campaign but before I get back to him, I wanted to reach out to you one last time.

, it takes just 30 seconds to make a submission here. <[link removed]>

It is unacceptable that Parliament enjoys a special carve-out from the Official Information Act. Ministerial spending is open to the public – it's time to make the rest of Parliament transparent.

If you agree that how MPs and their offices spend taxpayers’ money should not be treated as a state secret, please make a submission right now. <[link removed]>

MPs don’t want this issue to get momentum. We can only win it with people power.

Submissions close tonight. <[link removed]>

Jordan Williams

Sent from my iPhone

From: Peter Williams
Date: Saturday, 2 November 2024 at 1.11PM
To: 
Subject: , it's time to blow MP's secrets wide open 💥



Hi Friend,

I know it's last minute but I've got another campaign we really need your help to win on. 

As you know , the Taxpayers' Union has been exposing Members of Parliament for misusing taxpayer-funded expense and office allowances.

For example, they caught the Māori Party co-leader using her taxpayer funded travel entitlement to take a trip to Hawaii.

But because non-ministerial MPs enjoy a special legal carve-out from Freedom of Information laws, it's impossible to blow the issue wide open.

In fact, the Hawaii trip was only caught because the Taxpayers' Union got a copy of the MP's private social media posts bragging about the Hawaii holiday visit.

Finally there's a window of opportunity to blow open Parliament's secret spending 💸

A few weeks ago, a Bill was introduced to Parliament that makes various administrative changes to how MPs are funded and Parliament is organised.

The Taxpayers' Union has obtained legal advice that removing Parliament's secrecy provisions that carve out MPs expenses from the public's right to know, is within scope of the Bill.

Because the Bill is about Parliament, the Government sent it to an ad-hoc 50-50 Government/Opposition select committee. That means we only need to convince a single opposition party, and we'll likely get the amendment through Parliament.

Let's be frank here: this campaign is to force opposition MPs into justifying why their spending should be a state secret when almost every other area of public spending is subject to public scrutiny.

Remember, Government Ministers' spending is already covered by the freedom of information law. This is about bringing MPs into line with what is required of Ministers. <[link removed]>

Take 30 seconds to support this campaign: use our submission tool ➥ <[link removed]>

The Parliament Bill hasn't received media attention, and MPs want to keep it that way!

As it stands, the Bill actually opens up what MPs can spend our money on (for example, MPs won't even need their party leader's permission to junket, sorry, trip overseas!).

We say, that giving MPs even more leeway to spend taxpayer money – on themselves! – justifies the public having transparency of that spending. <[link removed]>

If you agree, we need you to have your say, RIGHT NOW. <[link removed]>

Time is running out ⏰

MPs are trying to rush this Bill through, so we don't have long. Submissions close this Wednesday!

Over the last few days, the Taxpayers' Union have pulled out all the stops to quickly build a submission tool. At OpenTheBooks.nz <[link removed]> it takes seconds to add your voice in support of bringing MPs' spending into the public eye.

>> Take a moment to submit here and show your support for a transparent Parliament. <OpenTheBooks.nz>

What they don't want you to know... 🤫

Previous Speakers of Parliament, the Law Commission, and even the original 1980 "Danks Committee" (which gave rise to the Official Information Act) have called for Parliament to fall into line and give the public financial transparency.

But unless we act now, nothing will change <[link removed]>.

Of course, some MPs want to keep their spending in the shadows... They’re comfortable (quite literally?!) knowing groups like the Taxpayers' Union are not allowed to access how they spend our money! That's why taxpayers like you and me must demand transparency. <[link removed]>

👉 Tell MPs to 'Open the Books' here 👈 <[link removed]>

Thanks for your time,


Peter Williams
Supporter & Former Board Member
New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union

ps. It's quick response campaigns like this – keeping alert and standing up for hardworking taxpayers – that make me proud to support the Taxpayers' Union. To join me in making the work possible, click here to make a secure and confidential donation <[link removed]>.

New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc. · 117 Lambton Quay, Level 4, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
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