Jami-Lee Ross wants new rules around financial donations to political parties from foreigners

March 8, 2019

The MP says foreigners only have to set up a New Zealand company in order to make political donations.

The National Party’s former cash collector is warning it’s far too easy for foreigners to buy political influence in New Zealand.

Jami-Lee Ross wants new rules around financial donations from foreigners to political parties.

His renewed call comes as the Government reverses its decision to censor an expert on China.

"When we were in government we were very open to donations being collected from anyone really as long as they complied with the rules," Mr Ross told 1 NEWS.

"It's very easy for a foreign individual to influence a New Zealand political party."

The independent MP has seen the loopholes of how this works and says "we didn’t do things right" when National took office, but now he is speaking out.

With foreign interference in politics and elections in the spotlight, National are infuriated with the recent decision  to stop China expert Professor Anne-Marie Brady speaking at a Parliamentary select committee. Labour have since backtracked on their decision.

National’s Nick Smith says, "I'm pleased the Prime Minister has seen reason."

"I think the Labour Members of the select committee made a really bad call trying to silence one of New Zealand's most published academics."

Late last week, Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman also asked the government to seriously consider banning donations from foreigners , with additional hopes to stop unfair influence and potential corruption in politics.

The MP proposed The Electoral Strengthening Democracy Bill and said, "we should absolutely not be seeing political donations come from overseas."

"This Bill if passed would ensure that New Zealand is leading the way on the world stage when it comes to our democracy."

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